Reigning US Open Champion Dustin Johnson's participation in this weekends Masters at Augusta is in serious doubt after suffering a shock fall down a staircase on Wednesday.

Johnson's manager described the incident as a "serious fall" claiming Dustin had "landed hard" on his back but that he is still hoping to be fit for the weekend.

The fall happened just after Johnson had returned home to the house he is renting in Augusta after severe storms in the area saw play called off prematurely and forced the cancellation of the famous Par 3 Contest.

Johnson was immediately placed on a course of anti-inflammatory medication as he seeks to take part in his first major as world number one.

Johnson was also advised to remain immobile and, as such, was unable to attend the Golf Writers Association of America awards dinner which was held on Wednesday evening.

Fortunately, Johnson has as much time to recover as can be afforded him, with the American due to tee off in the last grouping with Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker at 2:03pm (local time) on Thursday afternoon.

David Winkel, Johnson's manager released a statement that read: "At roughly 3:00pm (Wednesday), Dustin took a serious fall on a staircase in his Augusta rental home.

"He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortably. He has been advised to remain immobile and begin a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication and icing, with the hope of being able to play."

Having had to pull out of the Masters in 2012 due to a strained back he acquired whilst lifting a jet-ski, Johnson is no rookie when it comes to strange injuries on the eve of major championships.

As World number one and pre-tournament favourite, Johnson would be a massive miss at Augusta. Fingers of fans and organisers alike will be crossed as they hope for positive news in the coming hours.