THE PLAYERS Lost Another Pro Due to Health Concerns; Second WD in First 2 Rounds

THE PLAYERS Championship witnessed another withdrawal, as Garrick Higgo pulled out because of a wrist injury on Friday. The South African Pro was 2-over through the 13th after starting on the back nine. Higgo made a double bogey on the par 3 13th after saving par on the first three holes. The PGA Tour Media Communications tweeted, “Garrick Higgo WD during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship due to a wrist injury.”  

The South African international withdrew after hitting his tee shot on the par-4 14th. Higgo shot 1-over 73 on Thursday and was battling on the cutline (the projected cutline as of now is 1-under). Higgo played seven events this year, with one Top-20 finish to his name. Higgo’s lone victory at Stateside came in the 2021 Palmetto Championship at Congaree. In his last outing at the Puerto Rico Open, the one-time PGA Tour winner tied for the 32nd spot.

The 24-year-old earned his place at the 50th edition of THE PLAYERS through last year’s FedEx Fall ranking. Higgo was inside the top 125 in last season’s FedEx Cup points list through FedEx Cup Fall, one of the many qualifying criteria for THE PLAYERS Championship. Currently, the South African pro ranks 114th in this year’s FedEx Cup ranking. 

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Higgo was the second player to pull out from TPC Sawgrass in as many days. Yesterday, Tom Kim bowed out due to illness before finishing on the back nine. But that’s not the only worrying news coming out of Ponte Vedra.

What’s going on with Scottie Scheffler at THE PLAYERS Championship?

Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, appeared to struggle with a neck injury. First tweeted by Sean Martin of the PGATour.com, Scheffler was taking a neck massage on the 14th tee. Martin tweeted, “Scottie rubbing his neck on No. 12 and talking to a rules official about treatment options. Overheard him asking if someone could bring him some Biofreeze. Seems to be dealing with discomfort in his neck. Also one off the lead.” 

The startling visuals did cause some panic, with many worrying over his withdrawal. However, the defending champion has maintained his steady onslaught towards the top of the leaderboard. As of the moment the report went to publication, Scottie Scheffler is tied for the second spot, two shots behind Wyndham Clark at the top. 

The Tour has been grappling with shock crashouts in recent times. Before Higgo and Tom Kim, Tiger Woods pulled out of the Genesis Invitational. If Scheffler, too, is forced to bow out, it would prove to be a huge setback for THE PLAYERS Championship. The World No. 1 has a chance to become the first golfer to defend his title at TPC Sawgrass.

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