Tiger Woods to take break from tour

• Former world No.1 won’t play again until game is ‘ready’
• Has completed just 47 holes so far in 2015
• “I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game”

After a difficult start to 2015, Tiger Woods has announced that he is taking an indefinite break from tournament golf and will not return until he is able ‘to compete at the highest level’.

In a statement published on his website, the former world No.1 said that his recent performances ‘are not acceptable for tournament golf’ and that he won’t play again until they are.

“Right now, I need a lot of work on my game and to still spend time with the people that are important to me,” said the 14-time major winner.

“I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game.” – Tiger Woods

“My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I’ve said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.

“Next week I will practice at Medalist and at home getting ready for the rest of the year. I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game.”

Woods missed the cut in his first appearance of the year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Arizona, where he shot an 82 in the second round – his worst-ever score as a professional. Then, last week, he withdrew after completing just 11 holes of the Farmers Insurance Open with a recurrence of a back injury.

“The last two weeks have been very disappointing to me, especially Torrey, because I never want to withdraw,” added Woods. “Unfortunately, lately injuries have made that happen too often.

“This latest injury is not related to my previous surgery. I am having daily physical therapy and I am feeling better every day.”

Whilst he refused to set a timeframe on his return, Woods did add that there is an outside chance he could feature again as soon as the end of this month.

“I’d like to play The Honda Classic,” Woods added. “It’s a tournament in my hometown and it’s important to me – but I won’t be there unless my game is tournament-ready. That’s not fair to anyone. I do, however, expect to be playing again very soon.”

Tiger Woods :: Is this the beginning of the end?

Give us your thoughts on the news that Tiger Woods is planning a break from golf to concentrate on getting back to his best. Is this the beginning of the end for the former world No.1, or do you expect to see him back winning again soon?

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor