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Dustin Johnson ‘making progress” toward playing in The Masters

By Brad Berreman

Mar 26, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Dustin Johnson of the beats Jon Rahm of Spain in the final round of the World Golf Classic - Dell Match Play golf tournament at Austin Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Dustin Johnson of the beats Jon Rahm of Spain in the final round of the World Golf Classic - Dell Match Play golf tournament at Austin Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an ill-timed back injury Wednesday, Dustin Johnson be able to play in The Masters.

On Wednesday afternoon, news broke from Augusta regarding an injury for world No. 1 golfer Dustin Johnson. The initial betting favorite for The Masters reportedly fell down the stairs at the house he is renting for the week, injuring his lower back in the process.

Johnson’s status for the start of play in Thursday is clearly in serious doubt, but being in the final group of the first round (2:03 P.M. Eastern time) would seem to work towards his advantage. Early on Thursday, as could be expected, the news is positive.

Johnson’s trainer, Joey Diovisalvi, told Golf Digest Johnson was “up and moving around” on Thursday morning and in an “under control” state before bed Wednesday night. The latter phrase points to Johnson’s pain and any other symptoms being under control, but until he swings a golf club on the range with some intensity on Thursday his status will remain in doubt.

Johnson opened as an 11-2 favorite to win this week at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, and on the news of his injury he’s now fallen to 7-1 alongside Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. Among the three past top-ranked players to miss a major, McIroy himself missed the 2015 Open Championship with an ankle injury and Tiger Woods missed The Masters in 2014 as he recovered from back surgery. So Johnson’s absence this week would be rare for a current No. 1 player in the world, but not unprecedented.

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Johnson’s arrival at August National will be closely watched on Thursday, and his first swing on the driving range will be closely scrutinized. Back injuries are no joke, with Woods as the obvious recent evidence in the scope of golf, so a withdrawal from the year’s first major may ultimately be the best thing for Johnson.

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