Dustin Johnson withdrew from the FedEx St. Jude Classic after nine holes during Thursday's first-round play because of illness, the PGA Tour announced .
Johnson, who started at No. 10, bogeyed his first three holes at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., en route to a 3-over 38 before exiting the event.
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The tournament was third event in as many weeks for the world's No. 7 golfer, heading into the 2015 U.S. Open. That tournament begins June 18 at Chambers Bay near Tacoma, Wash.