The Open Championship winner tied for 13th after carding an even-par 70 in Sunday's final round at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, the first of the PGA Tour's three Playoffs events.

"He has been dealing with some on and off hip discomfort for several months, and thought it best to rest this week in pursuit of the FedExCup," Smith's agent, Bud Martin, said.

Smith will easily qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta despite not playing in the second Playoffs event as he ranks third in the FedExCup race.

The top-30 qualify for next week, with the current 70-strong remaining field led by St. Jude winner Will Zalatoris and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler

However, he is likely to fall several spots in the standings due to this week's absence, which will affect his chances of winning the overall tournament.

The leader after Wilmington starts next week at 10-under-par. Second, third, fourth and fifth starts at 8-, 7-, 6- and 5-under respectively. The remaining players lose a shot each block of five (6th-10th start at 4-under; 11th-15th begin at 3-under, etc).

The 28-year-old Smith has spent plenty of time in the headlines since his win at St Andrews with the Queenslander rumoured as potentially heading to LIV Golf, while his delayed penalty at the FedEx St Jude Championship cost him a chance to take over from Scheffler at the top of the rankings with a win.