Olympic champion Justin Rose said Wednesday he would be taking a two-month break from golf in order to fully recover from a back injury.

“Following an intense summer schedule and discussion with my team, I have decided to take the next eight weeks off for rest and recovery,” the 36-year-old Rose, who won two points from five matches in Europe’s

Ryder Cup defeat by the United States last week, said in a statement.

His decision means the Englishman will miss next week’s British Masters, a tournament he won in 2002.

“As many of you know, during the Players Championship I experienced discomfort in my back from a disc herniation and was sidelined for the following month,” former US Open champion Rose added.

“I worked hard to be able to return for the US Open, but my ongoing tournament schedule, combined with heavy preparation for the Olympics, did not allow for full and proper recovery.

“At this point in my career, it is important to invest in my body and this time off is crucial for me to return to peak performance.

“The remainder of the year has such a great run of tournaments and I am very disappointed to have to miss out on some of them. The importance of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and my relationship with the British Masters makes these tournaments particularly tough to miss.”