St. Jude: Dustin Johnson withdraws

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Dustin Johnson has withdrawn after nine holes of the St. Jude Open because of illness.

Johnson came into the event he won in 2012 ranked seventh in the world, the highest of any player in the field at the final tuneup for the U.S. Open, but he started off with three straight bogeys starting at No. 10 at TPC Southwind on Thursday.

He managed to par out the remaining six holes, then withdrew.

Johnson just tied for 13th at Memorial last week and tied for eighth at Byron Nelson two weeks ago. He has six Top 10s this year.

He already has a spot in the U.S. Open next week at Chambers Bay in Washington.