Last week, it was Cam’s turn, and this week, it’s Sam’s turn.
Sam Burns announced his retirement from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship in a statement posted Monday morning.
Burns said, “I’ve taken the painful choice to withdraw from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.” “After three weeks of golf, I believe that resting and preparing for the busy stretch ahead is the wisest course of action. I appreciate the help and hope to see everyone again soon.”
Burns and Players champion Cameron Smith, two of the top ten players in the world, will be absent from the match-play brackets, which will be announced on Monday. Rory McIlroy, No. 12 in the world, Hideki Matsuyama, No. 22 Harris English, and No. 47 Phil Mickelson will all be absent from this week’s tournament.
Burns will be replaced in the field by Maverick McNealy, who is hoping to break into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking following this week in order to get a Masters invitation. McNealy had planned to fly to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to compete in the Corales Puntacana Championship if he didn’t make the cut in Austin, but he’ll be able to stay in Texas and still have a chance to make it to Augusta.
