World top 10 golfer Brandt Snedeker has withdrawn from this week’s Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
The American’s agent informed organisers on Tuesday he would be unable to play at Royal Pines after injuring his knee while on an outing in China.
The world No.9 was one of the main drawcards in the field for the PGA alongside Australian Adam Scott, who will be appearing on the Gold Coast for the first time since his US Masters victory earlier this year.
Australian PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn said he was sad to hear Snedeker wouldn’t be playing in the tournament.
“It’s a great shame,” Thorburn told reporters.
“I don’t think it’s a massive hit. We obviously would have liked him to have been here but, when you’ve got Adam Scott fronting the field, it’s still going to be an extremely successful championship.
“It’s just one of those things that happen in tournaments – withdrawals take place.”
Thorburn said it was unclear what the nature of the accident was, saying details were still very incomplete.
Organisers have ruled out making a late bid to bring in a player of Snedeker’s calibre, with his replacement expected to come from the next available player in the qualifying categories.
“At this late stage, we’re Tuesday morning, the tournament starts in 48 hours, many of the markets where these guys come from are 24 hours away,” Thorburn said.
“Just impractical to get anyone else to fill his shoes.”