A big-time player withdrew from the first major of the season because of a back injury on Tuesday, and it wasn’t Tiger Woods.
Suzann Pettersen of Norway pulled out of the Kraft Nabisco Championship this week on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage because of a disk problem in her back.
“I dearly love this event and would do anything to play,” said Pettersen, who is No. 2 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings behind defending Kraft Nabisco champion Inbee Park of South Korea.
“At this point, I just need to be smart and not make a bad situation worse.”
Pettersen, 32, has 14 LPGA Tour victories and 21 as a pro, including two major titles. She has never won the Kraft Nabisco, but has finished second three times in the first women’s major of the season.
Last week, Pettersen withdrew from the Kia Classic at Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, also from the injury which she sustained during a workout in the gym.
