Mike Weir from Bright's Grove, Ont.,Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press
Mike Weir was forced to withdraw during the first round of the PGA's Honda Classic on Thursday due to elbow problems.
Weir was 1-under through his first three holes at PGA National when his troubles began. He double bogeyed the fourth hole and bogeyed the fifth before adding another bogey on the eighth hole and a double bogey on the ninth to make the turn at 5-over par. He started the back nine with a bogey to fall to 6-over par before deciding to call it a day after his tee shot on the 11th hole.
Former Globe and Mail golf writer Lorne Rubenstein, who was walking the course alongside Weir, tweeted that the 2003 Masters champion was favouring his right arm and elbow throughout the early part of the round and grimaced following his tee shot on 11 before deciding to withdraw.
"Gave it a go this week and it was too early," Weir tweeted. "It's not related to my previous elbow injury, rather it's the muscles around the elbow."
"I'm still as determined as ever, disappointed to have this setback. Going to ensure its treated right, will be back in action soon as I can."
This is Weir's second withdrawl in as many PGA starts, having been forced to pull out of the Northern Trust Open last week due to inflammation in his elbow. This is the same elbow that he underwent surgery on in 2011 to repair a damaged tendon. So far this year, he has missed six of nine cuts with his best Tour showing a tie for 21st coming last November at the CIMB Classic.
This latest setback also throws into doubt Weir's participation at the upcoming Masters next month.