American Express already suffered from a lack of big names. Wyndham Clark was the only one from the world’s top-ten teeing off at PGA West. Only eight of the top 25 landed in California this week for the $8.8M purse tournament. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler pulled off due to a bizarre wrist injury. No.2, Xander Schauffele was scheduled but withdrew at the last moment. Before the tournament started there were five withdrawals. Now add one more name to it. 

Adam Schenk has left the greens after the first round. The 32-year-old opened with a 2-over 74 before pulling out. PGA Tour Communications shared that the Purdue University grad was suffering from back spasms. There is no clear indication of when he will return to the greens, and whether the back spams are an indication of any further problems.

This was Schenk’s eighth appearance at the PGA West. He has only one top-15 finish. But it’s a major blow for the Purdue grad as he was coming off a brilliant start to the 2025 season from Hawaii. Schenk netted his first top-ten in more than eight months at Waialae Country Club.

Last year too, Schenk’s back injury became a hindrance in maintaining a strong momentum. He had to withdraw from the Charles Schwab Challenge, a year after losing the tournament in the playoff against Emilio Grilo. Schenk’s form hit the skids afterward. He missed two back-to-back cuts and never managed to break inside the top 40 for the remainder of the season. 

In November, Schenk was reportedly battling with a back injury at the World Wide Technology Championship. He missed the cut. After a shabby 2024, the Sony Open was a ray of hope for the Vincennes resident. But the recent withdrawal actually threatens his grand plan for 2025.

Will Adam Schenk’s high hopes in the PGA Tour get shattered?

Schenk, who joined the PGA Tour in 2018, has yet to make a podium finish. He was hoping to change it this year. The Sony Open was a good omen too. Speaking about his goals for this season after a bogey-free 64 in the opening round, the 32-year-old exuded much hope. “I kind of take it tournament by tournament. I’d love to make the TOUR Championship. That’s always the end goal. I’d love to win a tournament or two.”

Adam Schenk, who grew up in a Sod Farm and was introduced to golf through his dad, was poised to make it to the second Signature event this year. After the Sony Open, Schenk was tied for second at the Aon Swing 5 (top-five FedEx Cup point earners between two signature events). Top-five players in the Aon Swing-5 otherwise not exempt get a spot at the next signature event, which is the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.