LIV Golf’s Kevin Na withdraws from Masters with illness after rough start; Will Zalatoris out with back injury
Kevin No of LIV Golf withdrew from the Masters on Thursday with an undisclosed illness after a poor start at Augusta National, while 2021 runner-up Will Zalatoris withdrew before teeing off with a back injury.
No, which is ranked in the top 15 The last three masters, Completed the first nine holes, making a double bogey on the first hole before finishing the day 4 over 36.
Kevin Na of the United States chats with his caddy Kenneth Harms on the third green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2023 in Augusta, Ga. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Augusta National announced his withdrawal due to an undisclosed illness.
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Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters winner who was in Na’s group, said he remembered Na expressing some discomfort early in the round.
“Right there on the 10 tee,” Weir said, via ESPN. “But he said earlier that he wasn’t feeling well. So I’m not sure what’s going on, but he told me earlier that he wasn’t feeling well.”
Kevin Na of the United States reacts on the second green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2023 in Augusta, Ga. (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)
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“I can’t remember the last time I played as a single,” Weir added. “I’m sure at some point in my career I probably did, but I’m struggling to find my memory bank where it was. So it was a weird back nine.”
Na was one of 18 LIV Golf members competing in the 88-player field this week.
Zeltoris also withdrew from the tournament before stepping on the course.
Will Zeltoris of the United States walks the 11th hole during a practice round before the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2023 in Augusta, Ga. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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He was the runner-up in PGA Championship and earned his first PGA Tour wins last year at the US Open and FedEx St. Jude Championship. The following week, at the BMW Championship, he suffered two herniated discs during a tee shot, ending his season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
