Citing back problems and the recent removal of cancerous lesions from his hands, Fred Couples has withdrawn from the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla.Couples told Golf World that he had 13 lesions removed on a routine doctor's visit. That, combined with a chronically bad back, will keep him out of this week's Senior PGA.
"I've got six on one hand and seven on the other," Couples told Golf World. "She [the doctor] said they were cancerous. It doesn't mean I'm going to die in three weeks, but I had to get them off now."
Couples, winner of the 1992 Masters, was replaced by Blaine McCallister for this week's tournament.
Earlier on Monday, Tom Wargo also dropped out because of a bad back and was replaced by John Harris. Wargo is the last PGA club pro to win the Senior PGA.
Steve Pate, who turns 50 on Thursday, the first day of competition, will be making his senior debut at the tournament.
