PGA Tour
Back injury causes one of the Zurich Classic darkhorse teams to withdraw
Chile's Mito Pereira and Joaquin Niemann opened with a five-under 67 during four-ball play in the first round of the Zurich Classic. The team had to WD from the event, however, ahead of the second round due to back issues for Pereira. (Getty Photos)
The Chilean duo of Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira, a darkhorse team heading into the week, withdrew Friday prior to the start of their second round at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The PGA Tour said that Pereira had a back injury that prevented him from playing. They were scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. (ET) at TPC Louisiana alongside Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.
Niemann and Pereira shot five-under 67 in the four-ball format in the first round and were tied for 63rd place. They were eight shots behind leaders Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
Niemann, ranked No. 16 in the Official World Golf Ranking, won the Genesis Invitational earlier this year at Riviera Country Club and tied for 12th place last week at the RBC Heritage. Pereira tied for 26th place last week at the RBC Heritage and is ranked No. 96.