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Paul Casey

Ryder Cup partners David Howell and Paul Casey both withdrew from the US Open before their second rounds at Pinehurst on Friday.

It was no surprise to see Casey abandoning the event after a horror 15-over 85 had left at the very bottom of the 156-strong field overnight.

The young Englishman, who is in the worst slump of his career at the moment, being 46 over par for his last seven rounds, did not give a reason for opting out but with his confidence shattered, there was no chance of him making the cut.

Howell, meanwhile, was getting ready on the practice range to resume his second 4-over when he suffered an abdominal muscle injury.

"Everything was fine and dandy, as they say, and then I felt a twinge," he said. "Nothing untoward really and I thought it would wear off.

"Then I hit a three-iron and I just got what felt like a rip.

"I've never had this happen in 20 years of golf and there were no signs of it physically this week at all.

"But I hit it in the rough nine times yesterday and hacking out tightened things up a little bit I think and this morning just put it over the edge.

"It's very annoying. I've had a few injuries over the years, but nothing ever like this.

"It's unbelievably frustrating considering that I might be out for a few weeks right in the middle of the season.

"Hopefully, fingers crossed, it won't be as bad as it feels it feels right now."

Casey also opened with 85 in the 2002 US PGA at Hazeltine and the 2003 Open at Sandwich, but played his second round on each occasion.

He had spoken on Tuesday of feeling more upbeat about his game than of late, but come the tournament proper he had one birdie, five pars, nine bogeys and two double bogeys before finishing on the 175-yard ninth with a triple bogey six.

Casey hit only five fairways and was found just six of the 18 greens in regulation.