AUGUSTA, Ga. – Louis Oosthuizen, who lost the 2012 Masters in a playoff to Bubba Watson, withdrew Friday morning before his scheduled tee time.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 Champion Golfer of the Year after winning the Open Championship at St. Andrews, grabbed his back after hitting his tee shot on the third hole in Thursday’s first round. He labored throughout his round of 4-over 76; he made two double bogeys, three bogeys, and three birdies.
With Oosthuizen’s withdrawal, Tiger Woods and Joaquin Niemann will go out as a two-ball at 1:41 p.m. Woods is currently 1 under and Niemann 3 under.
The official release from the Masters said Oosthuizen’s withdrawal was due to an injury; no specifics were given. Last year, Oosthuizen, 39, the world No. 14, missed two months beginning in November after injuring his back and neck and withdrawing from the RSM Classic.
Since returning to play at this year’s WM Phoenix Open, his best finish in five starts is a tie for 14th. His last top 10 came in the 2021 3M Open last July, which was a week after he tied for third in the British Open. He also finished second in the U.S. Open and tied for second in the PGA Championship last year.
Due to injury, Louis Oosthuizen has officially withdrawn from the Masters Tournament prior to the start of his second round. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022
