Donald withdraws as rain delays BellSouth Classic

The risk of aggravating a shoulder injury on the eve of his Masters debut prompted Luke Donald to pull out of the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta today – as torrential rain washed out the first day’s play.

The 27-year-old, joint runner-up in the Players Championship on Monday, contacted officials to say he felt the problem at a testing centre after his Wednesday pro-am.

Donald was one of 25 players in the field who are also competing at Augusta National next week and he had admitted that he arrived at the tournament mentally and physically drained.

“Last week was obviously a very long week and I was very, very tired,” said the Ryder Cup star, now up to 16th in the world.

“It was mental and physical having to play almost two rounds in one day in wet conditions and windy conditions.

“Wind really does take it out of you physically. Having to dig deep mentally on the last few holes really took a lot out of me too.”

He appeared for the curtain-raising pro-am – a failure to do so would have meant disqualification from the tournament – but made an early morning decision not to be part of what looks certain to be another disrupted weekend.

More thunderstorms are predicted for tomorrow and 36 holes on Sunday or even another Monday finish is a distinct possibility.

The Classic now becomes the eighth US Tour event out of 14 this season to be affected by the weather.

Phil Mickelson said playing on Monday again was no problem for him. He went to Augusta on Tuesday to practise in peace and quiet and was not planning to go back there until next Tuesday.

“It wouldn’t bother me in the least,” he said of the prospect of being kept in Atlanta an extra day.

“I think this tournament should have the respect given to all of the others. I love the way the tour has been really making the commitment to getting 72 holes in.”

Mickelson won the title in 2000 when the last round could not be played because of rain.

He was tied with Jack Nicklaus’ son Gary and the only Sunday action was a play-off between the two on the short 16th.

The world number four finished 10th last year, but felt the work he had done on his game under the heat of competition paid dividends the following week as he finally claimed his first major.

“The two courses are very similar and it’s great preparation for a lot of guys who are playing next week.

“There are great practice facilities here too and it gives me a great opportunity to get sharp and not worry about what’s coming up next week. Hopefully I’ll be able to play well and get some momentum.”

Eleven strokes behind winner Fred Funk at Sawgrass on Monday Mickelson worked specifically on his driving at Augusta.

“I just addressed a little issue on why the ball was going left (he twice drove in the lake on the 18th last week) and it’s going a little bit straighter now.

“I’ve put a lot of time in. Now it’s time to start having it pay off.”

The rules of the US Tour now require Donald either to write to commissioner Tim Finchem in the next two weeks with the reason for his withdrawal or subject himself to a medical.

Players have been fined in the past for pulling out without an injury.