Kuala Lumpur: Fan favourite Rickie Fowler has withdrawn from playing in this month’s CIMB Classic, citing back problems.

Charlie Wi, a two-time winner in Malaysia, will replace Fowler in the lucrative US$6.1 million showpiece at the Mines Resort and Golf Club from October 25-28.

“I am sorry to confirm, but I will not be competing in the CIMB Classic in Malaysia as planned,” said Fowler in a statement. “Unfortunately, while not serious, I have battled a back issue for the past few months, and my doctors have instructed me that international travel and any tournament play is not in my best interest at this time. They have instructed me rather to focus on a therapy regimen in order to find relief as well as prevent potential issues in the future,” said the xx-year-old.

The California-based Wi was eager to get the opportunity to play in the CIMB Classic, having triumphed in 1997 Kuala Lumpur Open and the 2006 Maybank Malaysian Open on the Asian Tour.

In an up-and-down 2012 season, Wi finished 60th in the FedExCup standings. His year included a runner-up finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am as well as two other finishes in the top four (T4-Valero Texas Open, T3 The Greenbrier Classic).