Thursday 6 April 2017 20:39, UK
Dustin Johnson's coach Butch Harmon says the world No 1 had to be honest with himself over the back injury that saw him withdraw from the Masters.
Johnson was due to tee off alongside Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker at 7.03pm in the final group of the day but doubts surrounded his participation after news emerged on Wednesday of a back injury suffered during a fall at his rented home.
Despite the American taking to the practice range, confirmation came just minutes before he was due to tee off that he would not be part of the field at Augusta National for the year's first major.
Alongside him on the range was Harmon and having made his own way to the Sky Sports studio, he gave his thoughts on Johnson's decision to pull out.
"I think what happened is he said he was going to walk over there and see if his body was going to let him hit the first shot," said Harmon
"He has decided 'If I cannot at least get the ball in play and get it around then I am wasting my time and I am not going to embarrass myself'.
"It looked like he realised he just couldn't go.
"I said to him when we left the practice tee, 'just be honest with yourself. I know you want to play but be honest with yourself. If you don't feel like your body is going to allow you to play then don't play'.
"I told him I know it's a major and you are playing beautifully but you know your body better than anyone else. If you feel like you can't make a swing to make a certain type of shot then I think you are wasting your time.
"He told me 'I'm gonna give it a go' but it looks like he got over to the practice green and his body shut down on him.
"Thomas [Bjorn] and I have had back problems and when your body shuts down you can't go."
European Ryder Cup captain Bjorn, alongside Harmon in the studio, admitted the absence of the world's top player was a blow for the tournament.
"It's such a shame for the tournament and for fans and for golf," said Bjorn.
"Dustin has been on such a roll, we were all looking forward to seeing him at his best on the golf course."
Prior to confirmation of Johnson's withdrawal, Harmon had revealed how Johnson was feeling on the range, and how he was dealing with the problem.
"He has pain in his left side," Harmon said.
"He started to warm up hitting eight irons 100 yards. As he went through the bag he had the physio work on him for a bit and he felt like he needed to try and make a few full swings if he was going to get around.
"He says practice swings are hurting more than the full hit."
