Justin Thomas. Andrew Redington

By Dan Rapaport
Justin Thomas has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship with a back injury, the two-time major winner announced on Twitter. He will be replaced in the field by Satoshi Kodaira.

Given the frenzied recent weeks in professional golf, the world No. 5 took to social media to pre-empt any speculation that his withdrawal was due to anything beyond his back.

“Before the rumors start flying, I have decided to WD to treat and rest my back which I tweaked earlier this week,” Thomas wrote. “Just making sure I get it taken care of and ready for the rest of the PGA season as planned.”

Thomas, who won his second major at last month’s PGA Championship, has been unwavering in his commitment to the PGA Tour and has been one of Ponte Vedra’s most outspoken advocates.

His withdrawal came hours after Brooks Koepka withdrew, albeit under rather different circumstances — Koepka became the next golfer to move to LIV Golf. World No. 19 Abraham Ancer has also signed up for the Saudi-backed series.

Thomas shot 72-74 over the weekend at the US Open to finish in a tie for 37th at The Country Club. He is scheduled to play in the two-day JP McManus Pro-Am at the Adare Manor in Ireland on July 4-5 before playing in the Scottish Open (July 7-10) at the Rennaissance Club, which runs the week before the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.

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