HERTFORDSHIRE, England -- Stephen Ames and Ben Crane withdrew from the World Golf Championships-American Express Championship on Friday morning due to back injuries.

Ames, who won THE PLAYERS Championship last March, and Crane were playing in the same group. Anthony Wall, the third member of that pairing, is now playing in a twosome with Thongchai Jaidee. Jaidee was originally scheduled to be a part of the preceeding group.

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman withdrew on Thursday to fly to Texas and attend the funeral of Byron Nelson.