Maggert withdraws from Sawgrass after family tragedy

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - American Jeff Maggert pulled out of the Players Championship before Friday's second round following the death of his brother in a plane crash.

Maggert, 44, withdrew on Thursday night, telling tournament officials his brother Barry had been killed when his single-engine aircraft crashed in Colorado mountains en route to his son's college graduation.

"This is obviously a tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers are with Jeff and his family," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement.

"The PGA Tour is here with any support we can offer the Maggerts during this difficult time."

The Rocky Mountain News reported that the plane crashed in mountains about 40 miles west of Denver on Thursday afternoon while flying to Boulder, Colorado.

The Gilpin County Sheriff's office said one man had died in the accident and a 23-year-old passenger was injured.

Rescuers, who communicated with one of the two men on board the aircraft via mobile phone, used snowmobiles, snowcats and horses over harsh terrain to reach the crash site.

Carbondale resident Barry Maggert and his wife Renee have three children, twins Lee and Bryant, 23, and Taylor, 21, the newspaper reported.

Jeff Maggert, a three times winner on the PGA Tour, had carded a level-par 72 in Thursday's opening round at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)