Tiger comeback rumours dashed

Speculation that Tiger Woods may make his return at this week’s Match Play Championship has ended after the world No.1 was omitted from the 64-man field.

Reports had been suggesting Woods would make his long-awaited return to professional golf in Arizona, the same tournament where he made his comeback a year ago from knee surgery.

This will be only the second time Woods has missed the tournament, which has won three times, and his fellow competitors are predicting the tournament will suffer in his absence.

“It will take quite a lot from Monday and Tuesday,” said Padraig Harrington. “But there will be a worthy winner. All the matches will create new things to talk about.”

Golf’s loss is Ross McGowan’s gain, who at No.66 in the world who will get into the $8.5million tournament as the 64^th seed.

Many are now saying Woods will make his comeback in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral in three weeks, which is the only World Golf Championship event he has never missed.

Phil Mickelson has announced that he will skip the tournament to take a family holiday, meaning Steve Stricker will be the No.1 seed for the Dove Mountain event.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered