Illness has cost Jason Day a chance to quickly regain the world No.1 ranking, forcing him to withdraw from this week's World Golf Championship event in Mexico City.
Frequently blighted by injury and illness in recent years, world No.2 Day was scheduled to tee it up alongside the rest of the world's top 50, including defending champion and fellow Australian Adam Scott, new world No.1 Dustin Johnson and No.3 Rory McIlroy.
"I'm truly disappointed to announce that I won't be able to play in next week's World Golf Championship-Mexico Championship," said Day via a statement.
"I have a double ear infection and the flu, which precludes me from preparing for and playing in the tournament."
It's the latest health setback for the 29-year-old Queenslander, following a back injury in September which sidelined him for four months.
It is also the second ear infection to affect Day's career in recent years, with an inner-ear virus leading to severe bouts of vertigo during the 2015 US Open.
He has also suffered multiple bouts of strep throat and flu over the last six years - along with wrist, ankle and back injury issues.
American Johnson took the No.1 ranking from Day - who held the coveted spot for 47 consecutive weeks - a week ago with his win at the recent Genesis Open in Los Angeles, but holds only a 0.5-point lead over Day.
A victory in Mexico would likely have catapulted Day back to top spot.
Australians who will tee it up at at Mexico City's Club de Golf Chapultepec are world No.7 Scott - who won the event at Miami's famed Doral course last year before the venue was changed - as well as Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Sam Brazel and Matt Griffin.
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