Dustin Johnson withdrew from the 2017 Masters after standing on the first tee on Thursday morning, deciding it would be better not to risk further hurting his back.
Johnson fell down a short set of steps on Wednesday at approximately 3 p.m., slipping on a step while wearing socks on his way to the garage of his Augusta rental home so that he could go move a car. Johnson injured his lower back and had been prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and told to ice his back. Johnson's agent, David Winkle, and coach, Butch Harmon, had been hopeful Johnson would be able to play.
The world No. 1 arrived to Augusta National at 12:15 p.m. and attempted a warm-up to prepare for his 2:03 p.m. tee time. However, Dustin's caddie and brother, Austin, was teeing up balls for him and the player clearly looked uncomfortable. After making his way to the first tee, Johnson decided he would withdraw, leaving Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker as a twosome.
