World No. 1 Johnson pulls out of US Masters

World number one Dustin Johnson pulled out of the US Masters in Augusta on Thursday after sustaining a back injury in a freak fall.

The American, favourite to win the title after victories in his last three tournaments, slipped on stairs in his rental house on Wednesday.

He hit balls on the driving range on Thursday morning and arrived at the first tee before walking back to the clubhouse.

Image: Dustin Johnson walks on the 10th green during the practice rounds for the 2017 US Masters.

Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters