Daniel Augustus has withdrawn from the Ocala Open at Candler Hills Golf Club in Ocala, Florida, through injury.

The Bermudian was forced to pull out of the Florida Professional Golf Tour event early during yesterday’s second round of the 54-hole championship because of a back injury.

“Pulled my back warming up,” he explained. “It started to feel tight yesterday [Wednesday]but it was all right when I woke up.

“I stretched before I went to the golf course, but when I warmed up, hitting balls at the range, it just got tighter and tighter.

“I started stretching again on the range and hit some more balls, but it was still tight. I just felt like I couldn’t get it loose.”

Augustus, who carded an opening round four-over-par 75 the previous day, managed to complete two holes before pulling the plug and turning in his scorecard.

“I got up on the first tee box and it was tight and hurt trying to swing,” he added. “But I got through the first hole, made par.

“Second hole, it hurt again on the tee shot a lot and I ended up making bogey and every swing hurt.

“Then, I got up on the third tee box and my knees basically buckled. I hit it down the middle, but I just knew that I wasn’t going to make it through this round and decided it’s best if I stop and rest, so I withdrew.

“I’ve never had to withdraw from a tournament while playing because of an injury.

“It’s a new experience which doesn’t feel good, but I had to be disciplined enough to stop and not make it worse.

“My next tournament [Moonlight Tour] is supposed to be Tuesday. But I’m going to rest up these next couple of days then see if I can start hitting balls again.”

Earlier this week, the 31-year-old failed in his bid to qualify for the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship, competing in a prequalifier at the Southern Hills Plantation Club, in Brooksville, Florida.

Augustus was on course to achieving his objective at four-under par through 14 holes, but dropped eight shots to finish tied for 80th at four-over 76, seven shots shy of the qualifying cut.

That performance followed on the heels of last weekend’s fifth-place showing at the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship, back on home soil at Turtle Hill Golf Club.