Hideki Matsuyama withdrew after nine holes at the Valero Texas Open on Friday, less than a week before his title defense at the Masters Tournament begins.
Matsuyama’s WD was due to a neck ailment sustained after a 1-under 35 on the back nine (his opening stretch) in Round 2 at TPC San Antonio. It’s the same issue that forced him to withdraw from The Players Championship earlier this year.
Matsuyama is said to have strained his neck and shoulder in the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, when he finished tied for 20th.
Matsuyama’s most recent result is the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, which he also skipped. In the Valero’s first round on Thursday, he recorded a 2-over 74.
Last year at Augusta National, the 30-year-old became the first male Japanese player to win a major tournament.
