Masters favourite Dustin Johnson is a serious doubt to participate in this year's tournament, which tees off on Thursday, after suffering a fall down a staircase.
Johnson's manager, David Winkle, said Johnson fell down the stairs at the home he was renting in Augusta for the tournament, and indicated that the world no.1 'hopes' to tee off tomorrow.
In a statement, Winkle said:
He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortably. He has been advised to remain immobile and begin a regiment of anti-inflammatory medication and icing, with the hope of being able to play tomorrow.
Winkle also described Johnson's accident as a "serious fall."
Working in Johnson's favour is the fact that he is in the last group for the opening round, scheduled to tee off at 2:03pm alongside two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and PGA champion Jimmy Walker.
He was a strong favorite to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2002 to win the Masters while ranked as the best golfer in the world.
The news comes on an otherwise quiet day at Augusta, with today's Par 3 tournament cancelled due to storms.
