Matthews withdraws from tour event

Brandon Matthews’ debut as a member of the PGA Tour was cut short when he withdrew eight holes into the Fortinet Championship in California on Thursday.

The Pittston Area graduate qualified for the U.S. Open earlier this year and has played in PGA Tour events on sponsors’ exemptions. This week’s opening of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season, however, represented Matthews’ first tournament as a member of the tour, a status he earned by finishing 10th on the Korn Ferry Tour season points list for 2022.

Matthews, who has dealt with a back injury during his career, was 4-over through 8 holes and had missed the fairway off the ninth tee when he withdrew from the tournament.

The 28-year-old from Dupont had two bogeys, a double bogey and five pars. He did not have a birdie.

The tournament in Napa continues through Sunday.

The next PGA Tour stop is the Sanderson Farms Championships in Jackson, Miss. Sept. 29-Oct. 2.