Furyk Pulls Out Of WGC Event With Back Injury

Thursday, August 2nd 2007, 3:53 pm

By: News On 6

AKRON, Ohio (AP) _ Jim Furyk withdrew Thursday from the Bridgestone Invitational with a back injury, four days after winning the Canadian Open and leaving his status uncertain for the PGA Championship next week.

Furyk, who defended his title in Canada with a 64 in the final round for a one-shot victory over Vijay Singh, was on the practice range at Firestone on Tuesday when he felt tightness in his lower back. The pain increased over the next two days, and he notified tournament officials Thursday morning that he could not play.

Furyk is the No. 2 player in the world and was considered one of the favorites for the PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

He had perhaps the most difficult schedule of anyone, with plans to play eight times in a nine-week stretch because of defending his title in the Canadian Open and the conclusion of the FedEx Cup.