Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
• Four-time winner will skip season’s first major
• World No.472 “not physically ready” to return from injury
• Will, however, attend Tuesday’s Champions’ Dinner
Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will NOT feature in next week’s Masters Tournament.
In a statement posted on his website, world No.472 Woods said that he is “not physically ready” to return to competitive golf as he continues his rehabilitation from a back injury which has sidelined him since the Wyndham Championship last August.
“After assessing the present condition of my back, and consulting with my medical team, I’ve decided it’s prudent to miss this year’s Masters,” said Woods, four times a winner of the Green Jacket. “I’ve been hitting balls and training daily but I’m not physically ready.
“I’ve said all along that, this time, I need to be cautious and do what’s best for my long-term health and career. Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn’t be the right decision.”
Woods, who will attend Augusta for Tuesday evening’s Champions’ Dinner, added: “I’m really happy with how far I’ve come, but I still have no timetable to return to competitive golf.
“I need to be cautious and do what’s best for my long-term health and career” – Tiger Woods
“I’d like to express my disappointment to Billy Payne, the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I won’t be competing. It’s a very important and special week to me, and it’s upsetting to miss it.”
Since the most recent of his 14 major championship victories – the US Open in 2008 – Woods has now sat out eight of golf’s marquee tournaments.
He featured in all four last year but, after finishing in a tie for 17th in the Masters, he subsequently missed the cut in the US Open, Open and PGA Championship.
As well as being a four-time winner of the Masters, Woods has also finished in the top five there on seven other occasions.
This is the second time in three years that he has missed the tournament.
Tiger Woods :: When will we next see him?
When do you think we will next see Tiger Woods in action on the PGA Tour? Will he play any of the year’s remaining three major championships? Will he ever play again? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.
ALL ABOUT THE MASTERS
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses