Min Woo Lee has pulled out of the DP World India Championship after being struck down by a "stomach illness" and subsequent back spasms.

The well-known Australian golfer was among the marquee attractions at Delhi Golf Club, but was forced to abandon his campaign after completing just five holes of his second round. With play halted due to fading light shortly before 6:00 p.m. local time on Friday, Lee was scheduled to resume his second round the next morning.

The PGA Tour competitor was slated to tee off at 6:35 a.m., but moments before his expected arrival at the sixth tee, officials announced the 28-year-old's withdrawal. His departure follows three other players who exited the competition prematurely after a punishing opening round.

Lee stood at one over par for the tournament, sitting just one stroke inside the cut line with a legitimate opportunity to advance to weekend play, but a severe case of "Delhi belly" triggered complications that prevented him from continuing.

"Sad to say I've had to withdraw from the DP World India Championship," Lee posted on Instagram. "A stomach illness triggered some tough back spasms, and I'm just not able to compete this weekend.

"Huge thanks to DP World, the tournament staff, and all the fans for the incredible hospitality and support this week. Priority now is getting back to 100 percent."

Positioned 29th in the Race to Dubai standings entering this week's event, Lee should still secure qualification for the DP World Tour's season-finale playoffs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next month, despite departing India empty-handed. Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters champion, also withdrew before completing his second round on Saturday.

He similarly cited illness, but sitting at seven over par with nine holes remaining, he was already on track to miss the cut.

Andy Sullivan, Grant Forrest and Anthony Quayle all withdrew before play commenced on Friday. Sullivan cited illness, while last week's Spanish Open winner Forrest, along with Quayle, pulled out due to injury.

At the other end of the leaderboard, Eugenio Chacarra has continued his push for Race to Dubai glory. Following the second round, he held a one-shot lead over Scott Jamieson at 10 under par, after carding his second straight five-under-par 67.

Chacarra is projected to overtake Patrick Reed at the top of the rankings after the American scraped through the cut at even par, leaving him with considerable ground to make up over the weekend to minimize the deficit.

Rory McIlroy sits in third place and remains firmly in contention, having successfully made the cut in India.