Paul Casey has been forced to pull out of his third consecutive group game at the WGC-Match Play on Friday. Having already conceded his first two games, against Corey Conners on Wednesday and Alex Noren on Thursday, back spasms have forced the Englishman to pull out of the final group game with Louis Oosthuizen on Friday.
Casey withdrew before the start of last week’s Valspar Championship with back spasms, possibly caused by the continuous delays at the badly weather-affected Players Championship, where the 44-year-old finished third, two shots behind Cameron Smith.
He teed it up in his opening group game with Conners, but after two holes he was forced to concede with back spasms again to blame. In an Instagram post after day one, Casey wrote: “Frustrating I had to concede today's match shortly after it began. Back pain made it impossible to walk the course or swing a club. I couldn't even get the tee in the ground on the 2nd tee. I've been receiving treatment all day today and I'm hoping it's okay to go tomorrow. Thanks for all the messages. Fingers crossed.”
The former World Match Play Championship winner gave himself right up until tee time to make the game with Noren on Thursday, but while the Swede teed off, he was ultimately left to play a practice round alone as Casey pulled out. And on Thursday evening Casey confirmed he wouldn’t be playing his final group game, a dead rubber with Oosthuizen, as both players are already out of the tournament.
The WGC-Match Play is a 64-player event held at Austin Country Club in Texas. The players are divided into 16 groups of four who face each other on a round-robin basis. With Conners beating Oosthuizen 2&1 on Thursday to add to the walkover against Casey and Noren having beaten the South African 1up in their opener, Oosthuizen and Casey are both already out, with just the winner advancing to the round of 16, where the tournament reverts to a knockout. Noren and Conners will therefore face off on Friday knowing the winner goes through and the loser will be knocked out.
-
Are You Falling Out Of Love With Golf? Here Are 4 Reasons Why You Should Carry On...Fergus Bisset suggests why, no matter how much golf has been annoying and disappointing you, the sport always deserves another chance.
-
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren On Site As Charlie Woods' School Earns Chance To Defend State TitleCharlie Woods and his The Benjamin School teammates did enough to progress in the Class 1A Region 4 tournament at Miami Shores Country Club on Monday
-
Mexico Open Prize Money Payout 2024Tony Finau defends his title in a tournament offering $400,000 more than the 2023 edition
-
How To Watch LIV Golf Chicago: Live Stream The ActionFollow a LIV Golf Chicago Live Stream to see all the action. Sebastián Muñoz goes into the final round three shots clear
-
How To Watch LIV Golf Bedminster: Live Stream The ActionCameron Smith takes a one-shot lead into the final round. Follow a LIV Golf Bedminster Live Stream to see all the action
-
LIV Golf Greenbrier Live Stream: How To Watch All The ActionMatthew Wolff and David Puig are joint leaders going into the final day. Follow a LIV Golf Greenbrier Live Stream to see all the action
-
LIV Golf London Live Stream: Watch The Latest LIV TournamentTV schedule and final round tee times and pairings for the Centurion Club, where Cameron Smith is overnight leader
-
13-Year-Old Makes History At Challenge Tour EventLouis Klein shot two rounds of level-par to become the youngest player to make a Challenge Tour cut at just 13-years-old
-
Former US Amateur Champion Returns As Paul Casey ReplacementAndy Ogletree will play for Crushers GC after injury forces Paul Casey's withdrawal from the Washington DC tournament
-
'I Feel Awful' - Paul Casey After PGA Championship WithdrawalCasey had been given an invitation into the tournament, but was forced to withdraw due to aggravating a toe and knee injury
