Dustin Johnson expected to play in Masters after injuring his back
AUGUSTA, Ga. — World No. 1 Dustin Johnson arrived at Augusta National Golf Club at about 12:15 p.m. ET Thursday after a rough night.
He began hitting golf balls at 12:50.
And he’s expected to make his 2:03 p.m. tee time in the first round of the 81st Masters.
"I'm going to try," Johnson said as he walked toward the first tee.
Johnson, who has won his last three starts on the PGA Tour and is the reigning U.S. Open champion, injured himself Wednesday falling on wooden stairs in his rental home. He was going outside to move a car when he slipped on wooden steps and landed on his lower back and both elbows.
It was unknown Wednesday if he could play. Thursday, it was reported late morning that he was “cautiously optimistic” that he could tee off.
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Johnson benefited from being grouped with Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker in the last tee time of the first round. The extra time gave him more time to evaluate his injuries and rehabilitate them.
Jack Nicklaus, who annually meets with the media Thursday morning during the Masters, was asked about past back injuries he dealt with and what Johnson has to contend with going forward. He said he had no idea about Johnson’s condition but said both physical and mental challenges will be a concern.
“What is going to catch you, what is going to hurt you, and how is it going to affect you mentally?” Nicklaus said after he and Gary Player hit the ceremonial opening tee shots. “That's the part of the injury.
“Unless Dustin really hurt himself, rather than tweaked himself. If he hurt himself, he won't play. But if he tweaks himself, it will be the unknown that he's going to go through. And generally speaking, that only lasts about two holes, and he'll think, ‘I'm all right, go play.’ Or he won't be all right.
“We just don't know.”
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