Hideki Matsuyama withdraws from the 2024 BMW Championship

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the 2024 BMW Championship prior to the start of the second round citing a lower back injury.

"I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the BMW Championship after experiencing lower back discomfort while warming up this morning, which made it impossible to play," Matsuyama said in a statement provided to the media. "Thank you to BMW and the Western Golf Association for a great experience here at Castle Pines."

The 32-year-old Japanese star shot 5-under 67 in the first round at Castle Pines Golf Club. He had to wait three hours and 10 minutes during a suspension of play to hit his second shot at 18 on Thursday. He stuck it to two feet but missed the putt to finish the day one stroke off the lead.

Matsuyama won the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday and entered the week at No. 3 in the season-long standings.

Matsuyama also withdrew from the BMW Championship last year while warming up for the second round, and has dealt with reoccurring back and neck injuries for the past few seasons.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Hideki Matsuyama withdraws from the 2024 BMW Championship