Auto accident forces Miyazato out of HSBC

SINGAPORE (AP) — Ai Miyazato has withdrawn from the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore as a precaution after she was hurt in a weekend auto accident.

Sakchai Lalit

Ai Miyazato of Japan plays a shot from a fairway during the third round of the LPGA Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

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Ai Miyazato of Japan plays a shot from a fairway during the third round of the LPGA Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

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Ai Miyazato, of Japan, lines up for a putt during the final round of the LPGA Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

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Miyazato, the 2010 champion, withdrew on Wednesday after hitting balls for about 15 minutes.

The former No. 1-ranked Miyazato issued a statement saying she still had stiffness in her neck, shoulder and back "but it is also a precautionary measure so as not to risk further injury."

The U.S. LPGA Tour said Paula Creamer, Suzann Pettersen and Miyazato were involved in a five-vehicle crash in Thailand on Sunday.

Creamer told a pre-tournament news conference she had "pretty bad whiplash from hitting the headrest but I took it easy and I hope that I can tee it up" when the tournament starts on Thursday.

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