Tour News (posted 11th June 1998)

Els pulls out of Buick Classic with back spasms

Associated Press

Rye, N.Y. - Ernie Els withdrew from the Buick Classic today because of back spasms, and said it was unclear whether he would be able to defend his U.S. Open Championship starting 18th June at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

"Obviously next week is a day-to-day thing at this point,'' he said after pulling out on the ninth hole of the opening round of a tournament he had won two straight times. "I certainly hope I can take care of this soon, though.''

Els joins a veritable Who's Who of PGA Tour golfers with back problems, including Tiger Woods, Fred Couples and Davis Love III.

Els said his back has been sore for about three weeks, but that the spasm which forced his withdrawal flared up Wednesday night.

Though he had trainers work on his back prior to playing Thursday morning, Els said he was "still hurting on the first hole.''

"I tried to make it through but I just couldn't do it,'' he said.

Els birdied No. 10, the first hole he played today, but bogeyed Nos. 12, 15, 16 and 17 before calling a tournament official over on the 18th fairway and withdrawing.

His playing partner, Love, said that when he saw Els getting treatment prior to today's round, he knew the South African was in trouble.

"When you see a guy on the table right before he's going to go play, you know he's not doing good,'' Love said. "He did not hit the ball very good and he didn't make a putt. He didn't seem very happy. But he didn't complain. Ernie's not the kind of guy who says, 'Oh, my back hurts.' ''

Before Els left the course, Love gave him the name of Tom Boers, a Columbus, Ga., therapist who specializes in treating professional golfers through the manipulation of their backs and the development of an exercise regimen. Boers has also worked on Couples, Phil Mickelson, Brad Faxon and Glen Day, among other tour players.

In a statement released through the PGA Tour, Els said he might visit Boers' Hugston Clinic or fly to his home in Orlando, Fla., and seek treatment there.

Els had been the back-to-back, wire-to-wire winner of the last two Buick Classics and he said he was disappointed that he could not play this week in a tournament where he has finished no worse than fourth in four starts.

"This tournament has meant a lot to me through the years,'' he said. "I am sorry I can't defend my title.''

Steve Lowery, who was at 5-under after today's round, said the thick rough at the Westchester County Club could have convinced Els to quit.

"I think he was probably a little afraid of playing out of the rough here,'' Lowery said. "You play here, hit it in the rough and you might not be able to play next week.''

Tom Lehman, whom Els beat by two strokes at the 1997 U.S. Open, said he hopes Els is healthy enough to defend his title next week.

"Even with the slightest twinge I think he made a good decision by withdrawing,'' Lehman said.