Jamie Donaldson is facing a battle to be fit for the Wales Open after he was forced to withdraw from the USPGA Championship through injury.

The 37-year-old from Macclesfield withdrew from the year’s final major after Thursday’s opening round with a back injury.

And with the Wales Open set to start on August 29, he’s facing a race against time to be fit.

Donaldson carded a first-round 80 at Oak Hill on Thursday but was unable to start his second round on Friday morning.

Playing under the Welsh flag, the Wales Open is Donaldson’s home tournament, but he is yet to make a decision about whether he’ll be able to take his place in the field at Celtic Manor in two weeks’ time.

Donaldson has enjoyed a successful year after capturing his second European Tour title with victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship and making his debut at both the Masters and US Open.

He’s had two other top-10 finishes at the Irish Open and the French Open as well as a top-20 finish at the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

Donaldson suffered from back problems earlier in his career but found a way to manage it to allow him to break into the world’s top 50.

After winning his maiden European Tour title at the Irish Open last year, he said: “The low point, probably in 2004, was when I would be scared of

stepping off a kerb just in case my back was going to go.

“The year off did me wonders as I got my back fit again and through a lot of hard work I can still play and manage it well. After the time I took off from the European Tour it was so difficult to get back into it. These things do take time and I feel I’m now able to reap the rewards from it.

“Back problems are not nice injuries for golfers given the stress you can put on that area playing the game.”

Donaldson, meanwhile, will have to defend his Abu Dhabi title against Justin Rose, Rory McIllroy and Luke Donald after the they signed up for January’s $2.7m event.

“Victory brings its own type of pressure,” said Donaldson.

“But I’m keeping expectations in check and concentrating on all the small things that keep me playing well.

“You are where you are in golf and until January 19 next year I am the Abu Dhabi champion. I won’t be giving it up without a fight.”