PGA Tour star forced to withdraw from Irish Open

Multiple PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel has been forced to withdraw from the forthcoming Amgen Irish Open. 

Horschel took to social media to confirm that a back injury will prevent him from teeing it up at Royal County Down over 12-15 September. 

The golfer, 37, who finished joint runner-up at The Open in July, said that he felt a minor tweak in his back/rib whilst playing the second event of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs. 

He persevered through to the season finale at East Lake and finished in a tie for 23rd on 6-under, some 24 shots behind champion Scottie Scheffler. 

But Horschel has decided now is the time to rest, given the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is right around the corner. 

Horschel, a former champion at the flagship event on the DP World Tour, has made no secret how much he loves the annual stop 

"I sustained a minor back/rib injury early in the week at the BMW Championship that carried on last week at the Tour Championship," Horschel wrote.

"My body needs another week to recover so the injury doesn't continue to linger. 

"I'm disappointed to miss the Irish Open, as I enjoyed and loved my time at The K Club last year."

Horschel's European trip will also see him play the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and French Open. 

Who is playing the Amgen Irish Open?

Rory McIlroy headlines the field, along with his Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. 

Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power will also be fan favourites as well, as well as emerging talent Tom McKibbin. 

England's Aaron Rai, who claimed his maiden PGA Tour win earlier in the season, is also down to play, along with the Hojgaard brothers. 

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is also in the field. 

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