Paul Casey - pulled out on Friday.

All golfers go through ups and downs, but Paul Casey is on a real downer at the moment.

Without giving a reason, Casey pulled out of the US Open on Friday, leaving people to assume that the reason was an opening 85 which had left him dead last.

A spokesman for the United States Golf Association said they were not happy when anybody withdrew without illness or injury, but do not expect any disciplinary action to follow. Sympathy will surely be shown.

Casey is 46 over par for his last seven rounds. And while he worries about his form in the run-up to the Open at St Andrews, Ryder Cup partner David Howell has concerns over his fitness.

Howell did not play on Friday either, straining an abdominal muscle when practising.

"I just got what felt like a rip," he said.

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

"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 might be."