Mike Weir lines up a putt during the Utah Open golf tournament at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012.Rick Egan/The Associated Press
TORONTO - Mike Weir did not enter the Omega European Masters in Switzerland as expected on Thursday because of an injured back.
The Canadian left-hander hurt his back while en route to the European Tour event. According to his website, mikeweir.com, the injury happened last Sunday on an already troubled trip overseas.
Weir was scheduled to fly to Geneva from his home in the Salt Lake City area, with a stop in Paris, but the plane got diverted to Atlanta because of mechanical problems. He said he then "tweaked" his back while helping a woman with her luggage.
"[I] am experiencing some serious pain," said Weir, who returned home to recuperate and see a doctor.
Weir had also planned to play in the KLM Open in the Netherlands next week but has dropped the event from his schedule.
He played last week in the Utah Open, a state championship, as a warmup to the European events. He tied for 39th place.
This season has been difficult for the eight-time PGA Tour winner. Recovering from an elbow injury and surgery in 2011 and struggling to regain his form, the 42-year-old has yet to make a cut in 12 starts on the circuit in 2012.
He's also played in one tournament that is exclusive to the European Tour, tying for 52nd place at the Open de Andalucia in Spain.
His website indicates he will play competitively again during the PGA Tour's Fall Series, which begins in October. He has the Frys.com Open, which he won in 2007, and the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic on his calendar.