Rory McIlroy has been forced to pull out of this week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship due to injury.
McIlroy played through the pain over the weekend at the BMW SA Open after suffering back pain in Friday's second round, and tests have now revealed he has sustained a stress fracture in his ribs.
The world No 2 defied the problem and finished tied at the top with Graeme Storm on 18 under at Glendower as the latter went on to pull off a shock win at the third play-off hole.
McIlroy flew to Dubai for an MRI scan on Monday hopeful the injury was just a muscular strain brought on by his extensive club testing sessions last month.
But the scan results have confirmed the problem is more severe than he initially anticipated, and McIlroy issued a statement announcing his regret at having to withdraw from an event in which he has a superb record, with six top-three finishes in nine appearances.
"It’s bitterly disappointing to have to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship," said McIlroy, who will now undergo rehabilitation and is also likely to miss the Dubai Desert Classic in the first week of February.
"I think everyone knows how much I love playing this tournament, which is one of the best on the European Tour thanks to the incredible support of HSBC and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
"To be forced to miss this week through injury is really quite annoying to be perfectly honest, but I am sure the tournament will be a huge success and I hope everyone involved has a great week.
"In situations like this you simply have to listen to the experts and the team I have consulted have all advised me to rest until my rib has fully recovered.”
Rickie Fowler will defend his title in Abu Dhabi this week against a star-studded field which includes three of last season's major champions in Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson.