Fred Couples withdraws from Masters with back problems

The Masters field will not feature Fred Couples for the first time since 1994 after the veteran withdrew from the competition on Monday with acute back problems.

Couples won the tournament in 1992, but has only played in one event on the PGA Tour this year.

Injury has plagued the career of the 56-year-old - who finished sixth at Augusta National in 2010 - in recent years.

Following Couples' decision, The Masters field is now down to 89 players, its fewest since 2002.