The participation of the Masters favourite, Dustin Johnson, has been thrown into late jeopardy after a “serious fall” down stairs on Wednesday left the world No1 with a back injury. The 32-year-old is in a race against time to make a Thursday tee time of 2.03pm (7.03pm BST).

Johnson was placed on a course of medication and advised to rest after tumbling at his rented accommodation in Augusta. The US Open champion’s manager, David Winkle, admitted there remains a serious doubt regarding Johnson appearing in the first major of this year.

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“At roughly 3pm today Dustin took a serious fall on a staircase in his Augusta rental home,” said Winkle in a statement. “He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortably. He has been advised to remain immobile and begin a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication and icing with the hope of being able to play.”

Slightly in Johnson’s favour is that late tee time, the last of the first round. Yet forecasts of strong winds will hardly boost his confidence if not fully fit. Back problems are notoriously complicated for players to manage, to the point few would risk any longer-term problems even for the sake of the Masters. Johnson had been scheduled to receive a player of the year award at the Golf Writers Association of America’s annual dinner on Wednesday evening.

Johnson arrived in Augusta in stunning form. In his previous three events – two of which were World Golf Championships – he walked off with the trophies. He will remain the top-ranked player in the world next week regardless of Masters events, such is his grip on that position.

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Spectators had been evacuated from the course and the traditional par-three competition abandoned at 1.30pm on Wednesday. Thunderstorms subsequently battered the city. “The safety of everyone on our grounds was the determining factor in the decision to close the course,” said the Augusta National chairman, Billy Payne. “We share in the disappointment but safety is always our primary concern.”