By Chris Dutton
A shattered Matt Millar has had his hopes of qualifying for the Japan Tour crushed by a painful back injury just days after it ruined his Australian Open campaign.
The Canberra golfer will have an MRI this week to determine the extent of the damage in his lower-right back and whether it will affect his short-term future.
A back injury has ruined Matt Millar's hopes of playing in Japan.Credit: Jay Cronan
But Millar has already been advised long-haul travel is out of the question and is set to withdraw from the last chance to earn a spot on the lucrative Japan circuit.
Millar had hoped to play in the six-round qualifying event at the start of December but will now likely turn his attention to playing in the Australian PGA on the Gold Coast next week if he's fit enough.
The back problem saw Millar crash out of the Australian Open last week, with the Gold Creek training professional playing through stabbing pain in his last few holes before missing the cut.
"It just felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife every time you swing a club," Millar said.
"It does certainly put a dent in the plans of trying to get to Japan and have a lot more of a playing schedule next year. But it would be a bit of a suicide mission to go [to qualifying] now.
"Now I won't have that opportunity so from that perspective it's pretty gut-wrenching. But I'll be able to battle one and we'll see if we can get it fixed up."
Millar called for medical assistance in the second round at Royal Sydney on Friday last week, but the damage to facet joints in his back was already done.
He continued to play but was not at his best as he fell one shot short of the cut. Even if he survived for the final two rounds, it was unlikely he would have been able to play.
Millar will take advice from medical staff this week and hopes treatment can get him fit enough to play in the PGA Championship.
Millar had initially withdrawn from the Australian PGA because of his plans to play in Japan, but is hoping to play in the tournament to finish the year.
"I am going to try and see to possibly play in the PGA given it's not as far to the Gold Coast," Millar said.
"After that I'll assess everything and the opportunity to go to Japan will obviously be put back at least 12 months.
"You never know what's around the corner. A good result here or there could change things, if that's next week or the early stages of next year."
Millar enjoyed his best season last year, claiming 11 top-10 finishes in Australia and earning a spot at the $12 million HSBC Champions event in China.
"I had some great results last year and I certainly enjoyed that, but this year it looks like my back has pulled up a couple of weeks short. Hopefully it can be sorted quickly and effectively."