Adam Scott had initially planned to participate in this week’s Cognizant Classic, held in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Australian’s decision to withdraw came shortly after an impressive performance at Riviera, where he finished strong despite a slow start to the season.
The 45-year-old carded two rounds of 63 during the Genesis Invitational, showcasing some of his best golf in recent memory.
His round on Friday was particularly notable, though Scott felt he left a few shots out there and thought his score could have been even lower.
The 2013 Masters champion has put a lot of effort into his fitness and conditioning to keep up with the demands of the PGA Tour.
Over the past year, Scott has increased his ball speed and now regularly exceeds 185 mph with his driver.
Even so, fans will not get the chance to see him compete at this week’s Cognizant Classic.
Adam Scott pulls out of the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach
Scott was initially expected to play this week at PGA National, where he was one of the bigger names in the field.
Still, it is understandable that he needed a break after what he put in last week at Riviera.
The PGA Tour confirmed late on Monday that Scott has pulled out of the event, with Chan Kim taking his place in the field.
That is a real blow for both the tournament and fans who were planning to attend.
Scott has always drawn attention, both for his ball-striking and his popularity among players and fans alike.
While it is disappointing that he will not be there, it makes sense. At 45, the Aussie needs to choose his schedule carefully to avoid overworking himself during what is still a long season ahead.
More players pull out of Cognizant Classic
Ben Griffin, Genesis Invitational champion Jacob Bridgeman, Taylor Pendrith and Patrick Rodgers have all pulled out of the Cognizant this week.
Their absences have opened the door for Sam Ryder, Adam Hadwin, Jackson Suber, Brandt Snedeker and Lanto Griffin to join the field at PGA National.
The event still has some notable names on the card, including Shane Lowry and the Hojgaard brothers.
But Brooks Koepka remains the headline act as he looks to break into the top 10 for the first time since rejoining the PGA Tour.
It should still be a solid week of golf in Florida, but Scott’s withdrawal is clearly a disappointment for fans and organisers alike.
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