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Dustin Johnson of the United States practices on the range prior to his tee time for the first round of the 2017 Masters Tournament. Image Credit: AFP

Augusta: World number one Dustin Johnson withdrew from the 81st Masters on Thursday, walking off the first tee due to a back injury.

The reigning US Open champion had been a heavy favorite in the year’s first major golf championship after winning his three prior starts but suffered a lower back injury Wednesday in a fall down stairs at a rental house.