Aaron Wise has won Former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year from the Masters next week to focus on his mental health as the American admits it’s ‘painful but needed’
Former PGA Tour rookie of the year Aaron Wise has pulled out of the Masters program next week to focus on his mental health.
The 26-year-old American has competed in the Masters once before, finishing solo 17th in 2019, and secured a spot in this year’s field at the Augusta National with a 2022 finish inside the top 50 in the world rankings.
“Unfortunately I am withdrawing from the Masters Tournament today,” Wise wrote on Instagram on Friday.
“Golf is as much a game of mental as it is a game of physical skill, and the mental part of it has been a struggle for me lately.
I don’t underestimate the importance of playing for Augusta, but I know I need to take some time away to focus on my mental health so I can get back to competing at a level I’m proud of.
American Aaron Wise has withdrawn from the Masters program next week to focus on his mental health
It hurts, but it is needed. See you all soon.’
World number 45 Hakeem most recently competed at last week’s Match Play event in Austin where he went 1-2 in group play and failed to reach the knockout stages.
He’s had a top ten finish and four missed cuts in 11 PGA Tour starts this season.
Wise was the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2018 after completing four top-10 finishes in 29 starts — including a win at AT&T Byron Nelson — and reaching the final Tour Championship of the season.
The first golf major of the year begins Thursday, and 15-time major winner Tiger Woods is set to partner.
It was included in the schedule for the pre-tournament press conference on Friday.
Woods has made it clear that his competitive career will now be limited to a few events a year, a legacy of the February 2021 car accident that left him fearing the amputation of his right leg.
