Jason Day’s participation in the Masters has been thrown into doubt after the world No. 2 suffered a back injury during the WGC-Dell Match Play in Texas.

Day beat Graeme McDowell 3&2 but tweaked his back while playing his tee shot on the 16th hole.

The Australian was visibly in pain as he walked down the fairway and struggled to play a bunker shot before eventually closing out the hole and winning the match.

However, the 28-year-old could barely walk as he left the course and said: “It’s really hard to play when there is searing pain in both sides of your back. I’m really struggling. I need to get treatment right away to see what’s wrong.”

He’s due to face Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee on Thursday.

Day was forced to withdraw from tournaments in 2014 and 2015 due to back injuries. The Masters starts on April 7.