ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Englishman Paul Casey withdrew from the 105th PGA Championship, the PGA of America announced on Tuesday, citing an injury.
Casey, 45, received an exemption into the major, which begins Thursday at Oak Hill. The former three-time PGA Tour winner and 15-time winner on the DP World Tour joined LIV Golf in July and competed last week at a LIV event in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Casey had been sidelined by a back injury last year that forced him to miss the Masters and PGA Championship. He has 13 previous appearances in the PGA and finished T-2 in 2020, his best finish in a major, and T-4 in 2021.
Earlier in the day, the PGA’s Kerry Haigh defended giving Casey an exemption, saying, “Paul Casey, great player. He’s certainly had some injuries. Played on the Ryder Cup (when it was) last played, and has played well in PGA Championships.”
Casey has been replaced in the field by Sam Stevens.