Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the Masters.
The No. 1-ranked golfer in the world walked off the first tee at 2:03 p.m. Thursday at Augusta National due to a back injury he suffered Wednesday.
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Johnson said Thursday he was "going to give it a try" and arrived shortly after noon to hit balls. However, minutes before he was scheduled to tee off with Jimmy Walker and Bubba Watson, Johnson withdrew.
The injury occurred Wednesday when Johnson was reportedly walking to his garage, slipped and fell down stairs at his rental home in Augusta, Ga.
"He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortable,'' said David Winkle, Johnson's agent Wednesday.
Winkle said Johnson was told to say immobile and begin taking inflammatory medication and ice in hopes of feeling good enough to play Thursday.
Johnson was the favorite to win the Masters after winning his previous three starts on the PGA Tour.
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