Mahan withdraws in Sydney
American pulls out as a precaution ahead of Presidents Cup
Last Updated: November 10, 2011 11:16pm
Hunter Mahan: Pulled out of the Australian Open with a neck injury.
Hunter Mahan has withdrawn from the Australian Open with a neck injury, but insists he should be available for next week's Presidents Cup match.
The American, 29, was troubled by soreness behind his shoulder and opted to pull out of the event in Sydney in order to avoid risking further injury.
Mahan - who shot an opening round of 73 on Thursday - said he fully expects to play in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and believes he will be ready to compete again after a few days of rest.
"It wasn't great for nine holes (on Thursday), then they came out and popped my back and it was a little better," he explained.
"It's just the rotation. It's fired up to the point that I can't get through the ball."
Mahan revealed that he had kept US Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples informed of his injury - Couples is also playing at the tournament in Sydney this week.
However, his problems mean that Couples is now sweating on the fitness of two of his players ahead of the match against Greg Norman's International team, with Steve Stricker also struggling.
Stricker has not played since September 25 at the Tour Championship because of a neck injury that has weakened his left arm.
Couples has already revealed that he will call up USPGA champion Keegan Bradley should any member of his team be unable to compete.
