The Honda Classic’s run of bad luck continues with Daniel Berger, the highest ranked player in the field, being forced to withdraw less than 24-hours before he was scheduled to tee off on Wednesday.
Berger had an MRI on his rib Tuesday and intended to play as late as Wednesday morning before informing the tournament later in the day. Berger withdrew from Wednesday’s Pro-Am Tuesday night. He was hoping an extra day of rest would help his rib issue after undergoing the MRI Tuesday afternoon.
Berger’s absence leaves Honda with just two players in the top 20 in the world and none in the top 17. No. 18 and defending champion Sungjae Im and No. 19 Lee Westwood are the highest ranked in the field according to the World Golf Ranking.
Berger was scheduled to tee off Thursday at 12:53 p.m. with Westwood, the runner-up in the last two Tour events, and Keegan Bradley.
Berger spent Tuesday at PGA National chipping and putting. Following his final round at the Players Championship Sunday, he said his rib has been bothering him for about two weeks.
Berger, ranked No. 15 in the world, became the highest ranked player in the Honda field when fellow Jupiter resident Brooks Koepka was forced to miss the event because of a strained right knee. On Monday, another local favorite, Gary Woodland, was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.
Berger revealed Sunday after shooting a 67 in the final round of the Players that he has dealt with pain in his rib the last two weeks. He tied for ninth at the Players with an 8-under 280.
“Kind of struggling this week,” Berger said Sunday. “Was surprised actually that I was able to play all four days. I’m kind of just happy to have played golf all four rounds.
“Hopefully if everything is OK, then I can do my best to play. Just a lot of golf, it’s a lot of wear and tear on the body. Hopefully it gets better.”
The first group tees off at 7:25 a.m. on Thursday on the Champion Course at PGA National.