The number of players to have withdrawn from this week’s 96th PGA Championship is now up to ? with the withdrawal today of a further two players in American Ben Crane and Thailand’s Kiradeck Aphibarnrat.

Crane withdrew without teeing up on day two and with the PGA of America indicating he was suffering back spasms.

Crane had opened with a 3-over 74 but has a long history of back trouble.

This is the second straight tournament he had to withdraw because of back pain. Last week at Firestone, he stopped after opening with rounds of 73-70.

Aphibarnrat played just eight holes before pulling out with a knee injury.

The duo join Americans Matt Kuchar and Jason Dufner who withdrew on day one of the season’s final Major.

Fellow American David Toms, winner of the 2001 PGA Championship that generated headlines ‘Major Toms’, also withdrew on day one without teeing up and complaining of a back injury.

Kuchar failed to make it to the first tee on Thursday citing a back injury while Dufner had arrived in Louisville for the defence of his title struggling with a neck injury and lasted just 10 holes before leaving the course.