Two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen has had surgery to alleviate a back injury which has plagued the 43-year-old for much of the season.
He did not indicate how long he expected to be out of action but said on his website that the operation had gone well.
"The Goose" last played at the PGA Championship and ended down the leaderboard in a tie for 48th place.
Meanwhile: European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has named England's Ian Poulter and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts as his two 'wildcard' picks for next months clash against the United States team at Medinah, Illinois.
Poulter will be competing in his fourth Ryder Cup while the 29-year-old Colsaerts will be the only debutant in Olazabal's team.
Colsaerts is the first Belgian in the 85-year history of the event to compete in the Ryder Cup.
