DeChambeau withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational

Bryson DeChambeau described his battle with injury as "one of the hardest moments of my life" as he confirmed his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Hand and hip injuries that forced DeChambeau to withdraw from the Saudi International this month have kept the world number 12 out of action.

And he will not make his return at the prestigious PGA Tour event at Bay Hill this week, pointing to a desire not to risk re-injury by playing again before he is 100 per cent.

Setting his sights on The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass next week, the 2020 U.S. Open champion said in a video posted on Twitter: "Man, it's a tough decision right now.

"I have a lot of work to do to get everything back into order for this week and I just feel like it's too short of time for me to get back to 100 per cent and playing at 100 per cent capacity.

"Right now, I'm like 90 per cent. I don't want to go out there and hurt myself even more, and not be 100 per cent ready for the rest of the season.

"I don't want to come back early and then have to take more time off.

"It's a hard decision I have to make right now, but I'm going to have to unfortunately not play this week.

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"At this point in time, I've got to take another week off and I'm going to try and get back and play for The Players.

"Right now, I just can't risk going out there and having it reaggravate. This has been one of the hardest moments of my life.

"I'm not able to do much, yes although I can hit some golf balls, it's not comfortable or fully comfortable.

"It's a bit frustrating but I appreciate your support. I want to get back out there as soon as possible but it's just not ready yet."

DeChambeau won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year by one stroke ahead of Lee Westwood. That is his only victory since his sole major title at the U.S. Open two years ago.