Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from the 2012 Masters field due to a tweaked back. Johnson had not played the previous four weeks and had off season knee surgery. Johnson withdrew from his first tournament of the year due to back pain, but then strung together three solid weeks highlighted by a tie for 5th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and reaching the third round of the World Match Play Championships.
Johnson confirmed the news on his Twitter feed:
"First I have to apologize to the fans and sponsors. With heartfelt regret, I won't be playing in the Masters due to a tweaked back," Johnson said. "You have no idea how much I wanted to walk the fairways at Augusta and fulfill what I've been practicing for!!"
Johnson had played in the previous three Masters finishing 30th in his first year and tied for 38th in the previous two events. Johnson was also scheduled to play in Hootie and the Blowfish's Monday after the Masters event at Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach.
