Golf: Faldo pulls out of Masters with back spasms

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Britain's three-times US Masters champion Nick Faldo was forced out the year's first major with back spasms after completing eight holes of the opening round today.

Faldo, winner at Augusta National in 1989, 1990 and 1996, was four over when he walked off on the ninth hole.

"I can't complete the backswing or a follow through," said Faldo, who has missed the cut five times in his last eight Masters. "It's mega-tight when I walk then it really bites when I try to swing.

"It went on my third shot, just a wedge shot, on hole number two. I have a niggle with it and it's given in.

"I can hit a bag of drivers but when I take out the wedge it goes. I guess it is the change of angle."

Faldo said he has been receiving treatment for a troublesome back for the last 18 months.

"It's an ongoing thing but I didn't expect this. This of all weeks... good timing. "

- REUTERS