Daniel Augustus is battling to regain fitness ahead of next month’s crucial Florida Elite Golf Tour Championship at Orange County National Golf Club in Orlando.

The Bermuda professional injured his back during the second round of last week’s Ocala Open at Candler Hills Golf Club in Ocala, Florida and was forced to withdraw.

He has healed considerably after receiving treatment and remains highly optimistic that he will be among the field at the Florida Elite Golf Tour Championship to be held from April 1 to 3.

“My back is getting better,” said Augustus. “I still can’t play yet, though, according to the chiropractor, so I’m not going to risk it.

“I have my final evaluation on Monday and I’m pretty sure I should be able to play after that so I’m looking good for the following week for the Tour Championship.

“He told me not to play yet even though I’m feeling better, because he did a couple of exercises and it was just a little tight in one spot. It hurt a little, but nowhere near where it did the first day I went to him.

“He said to give it the weekend and I should be good to go ahead of Monday’s final evaluation and make it official. One more set of treatment and I should be good to play.”

There is plenty at stake for Augustus at next month’s Florida Elite Golf Tour Championship as he is in contention for free entry for the first stage of Q-School for the Web.com Tour reserved for the end of season points leader. The 31-year old is eleventh in the standings heading into the season-ending championship.

“Depending on how Monday goes I may play in a Moonlight Tour event on Wednesday and the following week is the Tour Championship, which is the Tour I have been playing on all this time,” Augustus added.

“I haven’t touched a club because of the injury in basically a week so I have no expectations. I’m just happy that my back is healing.

“I am about 80 per cent fit and by Monday it should be completely healed.

“I’m just going to go and dig some dirt up and practice, practice, practice and try and find a one-day event to play in before the following week.”

Augustus captured a maiden win on the Florida Elite Golf Tour competing in a 36-hole championship at Orange County National Golf Club last month where he pipped Florida resident Taylor Pendrith for the title and $5,000 winner’s purse by a solitary shot.