Defending champion Jason Dufner has been forced out with a neck injury as the USA Ryder Cup team woes continue.

Dufner joins Matt Kuchar who withdrew with a bulging disc in his neck and just moments before teeing-up in the 96th PGA Championship here at Valhalla.

“I’ve been feeling pretty bad all week,” said the American.

“I felt bad this week.  I haven’t made a birdie in 45 holes and I’m just not able to play golf now.

“I don’t need to be out here.  I tried to do what I could to be able to compete some and give it a go, but it is just pointless.”

Dufner has not tasted success since lifting the Rodman Wanamaker Trophy a year ago at Oak Hill while his best finish this year was losing out in a play-off to Australia’s Adam Scott in the Crowne Colonial in Texas.

The Alabama-born golfer is currently lying eighth on the USA Ryder Cup points table and just inside the automatic top-nine that will qualify to compete next months at Gleneagles.

However Dufner is now in danger of being overhauled by fellow PGA winners Phil Mickelson, who is presently in 10th place on the USA standings, and 2011 champion  Keegan Bradley, who is lying 11th.

Jason Dufner’s now absent Valhalla parking spot.