On Tuesday Dustin Johnson was in an upbeat mood as he prepared for the first major of the year. "I've got a lot of confidence in my game right now, especially with the way I've been playing the last few tournaments," said the world number one, who will be seeking to continue a run of three consecutive Tour victories. "But, you know, anything can happen."
As luck would have, something did. The 2017 US Masters favourite suffered a serious fall the following day and injured his lower back.
David Winkle, his manager at Hambric Sports, said Johnson had fallen on the stairs at the home he is renting in Augusta. "He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortably. He has been advised to remain immobile and begin a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication and icing, with the hope of being able to play tomorrow (Thursday)."
What might help Johnson is that he is in the last group for the opening round, scheduled to tee off at 2.03pm with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and reigning PGA champion Jimmy Walker.
