Hideki Matsuyama’s pursuit of a FedEx Cup title has come to an unfortunate halt as he withdrew from the BMW Championship ahead of the second round due to a back injury. This decision effectively marks the end of his 2022-23 season, with his chances of advancing to the Tour Championship in Atlanta no longer possible.
Entering the BMW Championship ranked 50th in the FedEx Cup standings, Matsuyama had his sights set on a strong performance at Olympia Fields to secure his place in the following week’s Tour Championship. However, after carding a 1-over 71 on Thursday, his persistent back pain proved insurmountable, leading to his withdrawal. As a result, he did not accumulate enough FedEx Cup points to qualify for the event at East Lake.
The PGA Tour Communications highlighted Matsuyama’s impressive record of qualifying for the Tour Championship over the past nine seasons, boasting the longest active streak among current players. This accomplishment underscores his consistency and skill amidst the challenging FedEx Cup Playoffs.
However, it is undeniable that Matsuyama has faced numerous injury setbacks in recent years. The recurring back injury that sidelined him from the 2022 Players Championship may have played a role in his current condition. Additionally, earlier this year, he battled a neck injury, which led to his withdrawal from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
Despite these challenges, Matsuyama persevered and managed to compete in eight events this summer, with his most recent outing resulting in a respectable tie for 16th at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Unfortunately, the severity of his back pain has forced him to make the difficult decision to step away from the BMW Championship.
Reflecting on his struggles, Matsuyama expressed his determination to overcome these obstacles and have a successful summer. However, the extent of his back pain appears to hamper his ability to continue at this time.
As the golf community supports Hideki Matsuyama during his recovery, we can only hope for his swift return to the course. His withdrawal from the BMW Championship serves as a reminder of the physical toll that professional golf can take on even the most talented athletes.
The post “Hideki Matsuyama Withdraws from BMW Championship, Ending Season Due to Back Injury” first appeared on the European News Global.
European News Global 