BETHESDA, Md. – Rory Sabbatini once made headlines by withdrawing from a Tiger Woods-hosted event. It appears his similar action at a similarly hosted event on Thursday was less controversial.
After posting three double bogeys and three bogeys to shoot 8 over for his first 12 holes at the AT&T National on Thursday, Sabbatini was originally listed as having been disqualified from the tournament. About an hour after he stopped playing, though, rules officials found him in the fitness trailer receiving treatment on his back, and the official ruling was changed to a withdrawal.
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Six years ago, in last place at the Woods-hosted Target World Challenge entering the final round, 28 shots off the lead, Sabbatini cited “personal reasons” and did not play on Sunday. His agent later maintained that he withdrew due to shin splints. He received $170,000 for last place that day, despite the withdrawal.
Woods and Sabbatini aren’t without a history. Earlier that year, the South African had called out Woods for being “as beatable as ever.”