Dustin Johnson withdraws from Masters with back injury

After initially attempting to play in the opening round of The Masters, Dustin Johnson walked off the first tee and withdrew from the event due to a back injury suffered on Wednesday afternoon.

The world's top-ranked golfer fell on the stairs of his rental home and suffered the injury Wednesday afternoon, putting his status for the event in question.

Johnson was slated to tee-off in the final group of Thursday's opening round, leaving as much time as possible for therapy designed to help his back heal enough for him to play.

The 32-year-old's decision marks just the second time in tournament history that the world's No. 1 player won't participate, joining Tiger Woods in 2014. It's also the second time Johnson has been forced to miss the event due to a back injury, as he was unable to play in 2012 because of an ailment suffered while lifting a jet ski.

Johnson entered the week as the overwhelming favorite to capture his first green jacket - and fourth straight tournament victory overall - but will now be forced to watch from the sidelines.