Cameron Smith, the second-ranked golfer in the world and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings, has withdrawn from the BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, because of hip discomfort.
Bud Martin, Smith’s agent with Wasserman, announced Smith’s withdrawal Monday morning.
“He has been dealing with some on and off hip discomfort for several months and thought it would be best to rest this week in his pursuit of the FedEx Cup,” the statement read.
Smith, who won the Players Championship and the 150th Open Championship this year, is one of the favorites to win the FedEx Cup and is in the running for PGA Tour Player of the Year, but he has also been in the news for other reasons recently.
Last week, it was reported Smith had accepted an offer with LIV Golf to join following the FedEx Cup Playoffs, though he didn’t comment when asked about it at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Then, before Sunday’s final round at TPC Southwind, Smith was penalized two strokes for improper ball placement on the fourth hole during his third round.
The penalty took him from two strokes off the lead before starting the final round to four back, and he shot an even-par 70 on Sunday to finish T-13.