Master Champion Danny Willett has withdrawn from the World Cup of Golf in Australia after a schedule change designed to protect his health and fitness.

Willett, 29, decided that five tournaments in a row at the end of a long and physically demanding season would be one too many.

The Englishman, according to a statement released by his management company ISM indicated Willett does not want to risk aggravating long-standing back issues and will consequently drop the fifth leg of his end-of-season run.

Happier times earlier this year for Danny Willett but now struggling with his game and withdrawing from the World Cup of Golf..

“I was really looking forward to playing the World Cup with Lee Westwood, but considering everything, including the amount of travel involved and extra strain, decided that it was not in my best interests,” Willett said.

With Willett withdrawing it is now the decision of Westwood who he chooses as his Melbourne partner.