PGA Tour star Jordan Spieth sparks major concern ahead of The Open

Jordan Spieth was forced to withdraw from a PGA Tour event for the first time in 297 starts at the Travelers Championship. 

Spieth arrived at the final signature event of the season at TPC River Highlands with renewed optimism about his game after his performance at last week's US Open. 

But the American only lasted 13 holes on Thursday before he carted off the course with an upper back/neck injury.

A few minutes earlier, Spieth could be heard grunting in pain after he hit his tee shot. 

The 31-year-old tried to carry on but as soon as he struck his second shot he turned to his long-time caddie Michael Greller and said: "I'm done, can't do it. Sorry."

Spieth was 5-over par at that point. 

He called over a rules official and said: "How's this work? I've never done this."

Spieth was playing alongside rising star Luke Clanton. 

Clanton turned professional last month and signed with TaylorMade this week. 

The injury has come at the worst possible time for Spieth. 

With the final men's major of the year on the horizon, Spieth knows he needs to finish the season strong in order to catch the attention of American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley. 

He is currently 22nd in the US Ryder Cup standings. 

Spieth won the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale and has been unable to add to his tally of three major wins since.

The 153rd Open will be played at Royal Portrush over 17-20 July.

Jordan Spieth explains injury

Spieth spoke to reporters shortly after he threw in the towel. 

He said he felt something tweak while he was on the range and decided to cut his warm-up short to go and get some treatment from the same physio that works with Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas. 

"I just wasn't moving very well," Spieth said. "Then it got worse."

Spieth said he was unsure what to do because the Travelers Championship does not have a 36-hole cut. 

"I've never withdrawn from an event ever anywhere at any level, so I didn't really know what to do," he added. "It just became too much."

Spieth said the injury was particularly frustrating as he felt like he was hitting some form heading into The Open. 

"It's a bummer," he said. 

Spieth said he will now take a few weeks off to try and recover. 

His wife Annie is expecting their third child in a few weeks.

He believes this is a random 'one-off' and nothing too serious.