USPGA Championship: Woods doubt, Johnson out

Tiger Woods is a major doubt for the 2014 USPGA Championship and Dustin Johnson will not be taking part at Valhalla after taking a leave of absence from golf

Tiger Woods is a major doubt for the 2014 USPGA Championship following his withdrawal from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational during the final round.

The 38-year-old - who was competing in just his third tournament since back surgery earlier in the year - damaged his lower back on the 2nd hole and pulled out after a drive on the 9th.

"I fell back into the bunker, just jarred it. It’s been spasming ever since. It’s just the whole lower back. I don’t know what happened," Woods told reporters in the car park.

When asked if he'd be taking part in the USPGA Championship, he said: "I don't know, I'm just trying to get out of here."

Woods needed a huge week at Valhalla to make the FedEx Cup play-offs, with Tom Watson, the USA Ryder Cup captain, previously saying he'd only consider Woods for selection if he was playing.

In other news, Dustin Johnson released a statement prior to the start of the Bridgestone saying he was planning a leave of absence from golf.

"I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced," it said.

"By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical wellbeing and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfil my potential and become a consistent champion."

Reports later surfaced that Johnson had been suspended for breaching The PGA Tour's anti-doping policy, something the PGA Tour has denied.