Tiger Woods announces he will not play the Masters
Tiger Woods announced Friday that he will not play this year’s Masters. In a post on his website, Woods wrote that sitting out the year’s first major would be “prudent” after having two procedures performed on his back late last year.
Though he will not play in the tournament, Woods said he does plan to attend the Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening.
“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,” Woods wrote. “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. I’m absolutely making progress, and I’m really happy with how far I’ve come, but I still have no timetable to return to competitive golf.”
Woods, a four-time Masters champion, also missed the tournament in 2014 after undergoing his first microdiscectomy, ending a streak of 19 consecutive appearances. He tied for 17th at last year’s Masters. It was his first tournament back after a hiatus of nearly two months to address issues with his game.
Woods has not played since finishing 10th at the Wyndham Championship in August. He had a second microdiscectomy in September, then had an undisclosed follow-up procedure in October to “relieve discomfort.”
In February, Woods posted on Twitter a video of him swinging a club. The caption, “Progressing nicely,” accompanied the post. Woods is not ready for the year’s first major, though.
“I’d like to express my disappointment to Billy Payne, the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I won’t be competing,” Woods wrote. “It’s a very important and special week to me, and it’s upsetting to miss it. I do plan to attend the Champions Dinner and see a lot of old friends.
“I’d like to thank the fans for their concern and support. The last few years have been difficult, but I have the best fans anywhere, and I want them to know that.”
