International Presidents Cup spearhead Marc Leishman’s PGA TOUR season is off to a rocky start, as the Australian was forced to withdraw from A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier with a back injury. Leishman has four bulging disks in his back that flare up a few times a season, a condition he navigates through with smart scheduling, treatment and rest. Unfortunately for the four-time PGA TOUR winner, the stiffness turned up prior to the opening round, yet he still decided to try to play through the pain. It proved a task too difficult as he struggled to a 6-over 76 at The Old White TPC with his swing clearly compromised. “I woke up not feeling great but I always try to give it a go if possible, hoping it might loosen up after a few swings,� Leishman said. “But it just wasn’t responding well and after the round there was more pain so I thought it best to not put myself at risk for further damage. “It’s a shame and not the best timing as I love this event and was looking forward to getting the new season off to a good start.� It is the second time in 2019 Leishman has had to miss an event with the issue, having withdrawn from the AT&T Byron Nelson in May. Reports emerged of Leishman also being hit with an errant golf ball in the Wednesday Pro-Am as a possible factor, but the 35-year-old dismissed the idea of it being related. Leishman had walked ahead thinking the amateur had picked up his ball, but that turned out not to be the case. “I got hit in the love handle from a wedge shot and it didn’t even leave a bruise, so that was a complete non-issue,� Leishman said. “I certainly don’t want people thinking this had anything to do with that. He felt bad enough as it was and it was nothing. Just a small misunderstanding that can happen on the golf course.� Last season, Leishman gave his FedExCup chances a huge boost in the fall, winning the now defunct CIMB Classic. He would ultimately make his third straight trip to the TOUR Championship and finish 24th in the standings. Despite this latest setback, he hopes treatment will allow him to recover in time to return at the Safeway Open in a few weeks. If things have not settled down by then, he has locked in THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES and the new ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan as his fall starts. He will then head to the Australian Open a week before the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, where he finished as the International Teams top qualifier.
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