'Burnt out' Oberholser set for lengthy absence after Masters

Arron Oberholser made the cut at Augusta National despite constant pain. (Getty Images)

Oberholser has been struggling all year with hand and shoulder injuries, and had already said he will take at least the next two months off. He had talked at one point about playing a few events at the end of the season, but said Sunday he's not even sure about that.

He's already received a medical exemption for next year.

"I don't know that you'll be hearing from me the rest of the year," he said. "I might just scratch the whole thing and call it a mental health year because I'm tired of it. I'm sick of it. I didn't enjoy one shot out here today and I enjoyed very few shots this week. I'm just burnt out."

Oberholser had surgery last October to correct a recurring problem in his left hand. But he thinks he might have come back too soon because the area -- right where he grips the golf club -- still hurts with every swing. He doesn't plan to even touch a club for two months, and hopes that will help because more surgery is not an option.

"I'll quit golf before I'll have another surgery," he said. "I'll quit competitive golf. Mark my words. It's not worth it to me."

Despite his struggles, Oberholser played solidly and began Sunday in good shape for a top-16 finish, which would have earned him an invitation back for next year. But he straggled home with a 5-over 77, including a double bogey on the par-5 15th.

He finished the tournament at 4-over 292, tying for 25th.

"I don't care about the top 50 anymore. I don't care about coming back to the Masters. I don't care about making the majors. I just want to be healthy," Oberholser said. "I'll take healthy and the Nationwide Tour vs. playing out here constantly hurt."