Aaron Wise withdraws from Masters, citing mental health

Aaron Wise announced Friday that he has withdrawn from the upcoming Masters Tournament in order to focus on his mental health.

«Regretfully I am withdrawing from The Masters today,» Wise wrote on an Instagram story. «Golf is just as much a mental game as it is one of physical skill, and the mental piece of it has been a struggle for me recently. I don't take the significance of playing at Augusta lightly, but I know that I need to take some time away to focus on my mental health so I can get back to competing at a level I am proud of.

»This hurts but it's needed. See you all soon."

Wise, 26, won his lone PGA Tour title at the 2018 AT&T Byron Nelson Championship en route to being PGA Tour Rookie of the Year that season.

Wise qualified to play at Augusta National this year by finishing 2022 inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. He currently is ranked 45th.

The Masters begins Thursday.