Dufner just eyeing survival

Simply completing 72 holes at Valhalla this week would be good enough for defending US PGA champion Jason Dufner.
The American had an epidural last week to ease the pain caused by two bulging discs in his neck and admits he needs to take up to two months off.
With his Ryder Cup place not yet secure, however, Dufner can’t afford to lay low just yet.
The 37-year-old is eighth in the standings with the top nine on Sunday evening qualifying automatically for Tom Watson’s team to contest the biennial event at Gleneagles at the end of September.
“I’m probably not going to be healthy until I can take six to eight weeks off,” Dufner said on Wednesday. “I’m not sure when that’s going to be but I’ll get through it.
“I’m hoping this week I’ll be able to feel a little bit better, get through 72 holes. Defending (my title) is pretty important to me and being on the Ryder Cup. I’m right on the edge of those points and there’s a lot of points this week.
“I’m not going to qualify if I don’t make some points this week. I seriously doubt I would be a captain’s selection with an injury if I didn’t play so I kind of need to suck it up and make some points and try and get healthy.
“I think if I were to make the team after this week, I think I could be healthy by the time the Ryder Cup rolls around.”
That could mean skipping all four FedEx Cup play-off events but Dufner added: “Mr Watson may feel uncomfortable, but I would not feel uncomfortable taking the play-offs off if I needed to and coming in trying to be healthy and participate in the Ryder Cup.
“There’s been many times where I’ve taken a four or five-week absence from tournament play and come in and felt comfortable with my game.”
The injury could be a blessing in disguise, however, Dufner said.
“To be honest, it’s kind of a blessing. I need to take a serious look at my health and maybe make a better effort to be in better shape, because if you don’t have your health out here, as you see with a pretty prominent player (Tiger Woods) and myself, it’s pretty hard to be competitive out here.”
Latest
-
PGA Tour
Injury rules Open champion Cameron Smith out of BMW Championship
The Australian world number two currently sits third in the FedEx Cup standings, 1,132 points behind leader Will Zalatoris.
-
PGA Tour
Will Zalatoris triumphs in dramatic playoff to claim first PGA Tour win
The American defeated Austria’s Sepp Straka in three extra holes at TPC Southwind – despite not making a birdie.
-
News
Ewen Ferguson seals wire-to-wire victory at ISPS Handa World Invitational
The 26-year-old Scot also won the Qatar Masters in March.
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.