CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A rising star and a PGA Tour pro have opted not to compete in next week's Greenbrier Classic at the Old White TPC.
Hideki Matsuyama, the Japanese wunderkind who has climbed all the way to No. 9 in the FedEx Cup standings and No. 14 in the World Golf Rankings; and K.J. Choi, the South Korean who has been seeking his first PGA Tour win since 2011, won't be playing in the sixth Classic, tournament director Monte Ortel confirmed on Tuesday.
Both committed to playing in the Classic, but have since backed out. Greenbrier Classic officials have not been given a reason for their decisions.
The field list on the Greenbrier Classic website includes 150 players of the 156 spots to be filled. Players have until 5 p.m. on Friday to make their official decision to play with the field being completed with the final four players following Monday's Open Qualifier at the Resort at Glade Springs.
The 23-year-old Matsuyama has used his exceptional ball-striking skill and sharp short game to make the cut in all but one of the events in which he has entered this season. He won the 2014 Memorial in a playoff for his first PGA Tour victory. This year, he has eight top 10s and 14 top 25s, earning almost $2.9 million at No. 9 among the money leaders.
Matsuyama finished in a tie for 18 at last week's U.S. Open and isn't in the field for this week's Travelers Championship.
The 45-year-old Choi has played in the previous three Classics with his best finish being a tie for 23 in 2013. Last year, however, Choi was 10-over after two rounds and missed the cut.
Choi's career has struggled since winning at least one PGA Tour event every year from 2005-08 during which he missed the cut only 17 times. He has just six top 10s and 19 missed cuts since 2012, including four this year through only 14 events.
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Johnson Wagner, a graduate of Virginia Tech and a fixture at the Greenbrier Classic, might be left out of the mix because of his recent struggles on the course.
Wagner's name was noticeably missing on the list of commitments. He lost his fully exempt status on the PGA Tour, needing to use a sponsor exemption to play in April's Shell Houston Open - the site of his first Tour title in 2008. He finished second, losing to J.B. Holmes in a playoff.
In six events since, Wagner - who is 125th in the FedEx Cup standings - tied for 48 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and has missed four consecutive cuts through the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
Wagner has three career wins on the PGA Tour (2008, '11, '12). His performance at the Greenbrier Classic has been much like his career: up and down. His finishes are T83 (2010), T11 ('11), T64 ('12), T2 ('13) and T26 ('14).
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Sam Saunders, the grandson of World Golf Hall of Fame member Arnold Palmer, will compete in the Classic for the third time. Saunders played in the inaugural event in 2010 and returned in 2012 when he had the third-best second round in the field with a 5-under 65, but couldn't overcome his 6-over 76 on the first day and missed the cut.
Playing for the first time with his PGA Tour card, Saunders has missed 11 cuts in 21 events this season.
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PETER UIHLEIN, who committed to playing in the Greenbrier Classic for the first time earlier this month, is part of golf royalty.
The 25-year-old and winner of the 2010 U.S. Amateur is the son of Wally Uihlein, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Acushnet Company. Acushnet manufactures golf equipment and comprises Titleist, FootJoy, Pinnacle, Scotty Cameron and other brands.
Peter Uihlein was twice named American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, becoming the fifth male player to earn the award more than once, a list that includes Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
Contact Assistant Sports Editor Rich Stevens at richstevens@dailymailwv.com or 304-348-4837. Follow him on Twitter @richdailymail