Hideki Matsuyama will miss the designated-event Wells Fargo Championship as the former Masters champ continues to battle a neck injury.
Matsuyama, 31, has been sidelined for parts of this season due to neck pain, including a WD in his match against Max Homa at the WGC-Match Play in March and skipping the RBC Heritage, a designated event immediately following the Masters. In a statement to the PGA Tour, the ailment will keep Matsuyama from competing at the Charlotte tour stop next week.
“Following the Masters, I returned to Japan to receive treatment for my neck pain and unfortunately, it has not improved to the point of being able to compete,” Matsuyama said. “I want to thank Wells Fargo and the Charlotte fans for their support and look forward to returning in the future.”
When Matsuyama has played in 2023, he’s played well, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the Players Championship last month. In his last start at Augusta National, Matsuyama entered the final round in a tie for fifth, but a closing 75 dropped him to a T-16 finish.
Speaking of the Masters, Jon Rahm is also skipping the Wells Fargo Championship. Rahm is currently in this week’s Mexico Open as he tries to defend his title from 2022. World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler is also not in the field.
However, one player who will be at Quail Hollow is Rory McIlroy. The Ulsterman, who skipped the RBC Heritage after missing the cut at the Masters, has won the Wells Fargo three times in his career.