Masters hopes in balance for Davis

The back injury which keeps the American Rocco Mediate out of this week's Players Championship in Florida could harm Brian Davis's hopes of a Masters debut in a fortnight.

The back injury which keeps the American Rocco Mediate out of this week's Players Championship in Florida could harm Brian Davis's hopes of a Masters debut in a fortnight.

The Londoner is ranked 47th in the world and Mediate 49th, and come the updated rankings next Monday the top 50 earn invitations to Augusta. But because ranking is determined by an average of points won, Davis would fall below Mediate if he misses the cut at Sawgrass - and if three others go past Davis he would miss out.

The event's prize money was increased yesterday, by $500,000 to a total of $8m (£4.36m). First prize is now £800,000, which still leaves it £200,000 behind the record winner's cheque offered in the HSBC World Match Play championship.

Europe's Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer has appointed Sweden's Anders Forsbrand, 42, as his vice-captain.