Klauk to miss next four months with back injury

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SCOTTSDALE. Ariz. -- On the advice of his doctors, Jeff Klauk will skip the next four months of the PGA TOUR and take steps to remedy a nagging and debilitating back injury. Klauk has struggled on the course this season but it wasn't until recently that a herniated disc was discovered in his lower back.

"It's been painful and that's made it tough to perform at the highest level with the best players in the world," said Klauk, who had three top-five finishes last year and was a finalist for Rookie of the Year honors. "I'll take this time off to consult with doctors, do what needs to be done and look forward to getting back to playing the kind of golf I know I'm capable of playing."

Klauk, whose decision has the full backing of his sponsors, hopes to be back on the PGA TOUR in time for the Fall Series. He will take a major medical exemption from the TOUR and have 16 events to make top 125 money for 2010 and thereby retain his fully exempt status.