THE SIDELINES : Freak Injury Idles Curtis Strange

U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange, citing a neck injury sustained while hanging up the telephone from his hotel bed, dropped out of the World Series of Golf today.

“I just don’t want to damage myself,” Strange said after withdrawing playing nine holes in the second round.

Strange’s withdrawal eliminated him from consideration for the Vardon Trophy, presented to the PGA Tour player with the lowest scoring average for a minimum of 60 rounds. To be eligible, a player must complete every competitive round he starts. The withdrawal also hinders his hopes of repeating as PGA Player of the Year and of earning his third consecutive money-winning title.

“I was hanging up the phone,” Strange said in explaining the injury sustained Thursday morning. “I was stretching and something popped and I couldn’t get out of it. I couldn’t even get back down on the pillow. I don’t know how I got out here to the tournament.”

Strange struggled to an opening-round 6-over-par 76 Thursday and was 5-over for his nine holes today.