Injured Matsuyama withdraws from Houston Open

LOS ANGELES: Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the third round of the Houston Open on Saturday with a neck injury, just the latest injury setback for the Japanese star.

Matsuyama, who became the first Asian man to win a major when he triumphed at Augusta National in 2021, opened his third round at Memorial Park Golf Course with a four-over par 39 in his first nine holes, including a double-bogey at the par-five 16th.

He had made the cut on the number on Saturday morning, completing a second straight even par round of 70 as the weatherdisrupted second round concluded. Matsuyama has battled injuries for much of 2022.