DeChambeau pulls out of Bay Hill defence

Big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau, the defending champion, has pulled out of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida due to injury.

The former US Open champion has not played competitively since withdrawing before the second round of the Saudi International in early February, citing wrist and hip problems.

DeChambeau, who held off Lee Westwood to win at Bay Hill last year, said in a video on his Twitter account: "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 a time for me to get back playing at 100 per cent capacity.

"Right now I'm at 90 per cent. I just 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.

"I'm going to try and get back for The Players (Championship) but as of right now I can't risk it, going out there and having it re-aggravate."

The 28-year-old Californian last played in early January, when he missed the cut at Torrey Pines.