Steve Stricker and Anthony Kim have both withdrawn from the widely regarded ‘fifth Major', The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, due to injury concerns.
World number three, Stricker has had an ongoing shoulder problem, whilst his compatriot Kim has decided a long-term thumb injury presents too much of a risk going into this week's championship.
Stricker's absence is no surprise to the golfing world - he has complained of inflammation in his right shoulder joint for weeks and has not featured since the Masters at the beginning of April.
However Kim's withdrawal was less expected after the in-form world number 11 finished in a tie for seventh in last week's Quail Hollow Championship.
The 24-year-old has confirmed he will now be looking to get treatment for a thumb injury, which has been lingering for the previous year.
Kim said: "This injury has been well-documented over the past month and I'm doing everything I can to play through it, but it became more of an issue last week and needs to be looked at."
Where next?
Tour news: BMW Italian Open preview Latest galleries: McIlroy wins Quail Hollow Competitions: Golf prizes to be won Golf opinion: Join the Golf Monthly forum
Farah O’Keefe Facts: 10 Things To Know About The College Golfer
Watch: Rory McIlroy Makes Slam Dunk Hole-In-One At Pebble Beach Pro-Am
