Tim Clark drops out of Masters - but will not be replaced

South African Tim Clark has been forced out of next week’s Masters because of injury.
 The 39-year-old, who finished runner-up to Phil Mickelson at the 2006 event, has been struggling to overcome an elbow problem. Clark was eligible for Augusta National thanks to his victory at the Canadian Open last summer but has not teed up since finishing in a tie-for-30th at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.
 The world No 59 has competed in 13 previous Masters Tournaments and breaks a run of 12 successive appearances dating back to 2003. 
Thomas Parker, his agent at Professional Advisory Group, said in a text message that Clark's elbow is feeling better but that he had not had enough time to prepare properly for the first major of the season. 
 The winner of the 2010 Players Championship at Sawgrass, Clark will not be replaced in the tournament as the Masters is an invitation-only event.

MORE MASTERS NEWS

Arnold Palmer will not participate in the Par 3 Contest next week at Augusta National, but he is still scheduled to hit the ceremonial tee shot before the first round of the Masters, Golf Channel has learned.
Palmer, 85, usually plays the Par 3 Contest alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, but he is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, an injury he sustained when he tripped and fell in December.
It is unclear whether Nicklaus and Player will play as a twosome or welcome a third member to the group.
Palmer has been an honorary starter at the Masters since 2007
 Watch all four rounds of this year’s Masters live on Sky Sports 4 HD.