That innocuous slip on the Augusta National pine straw 8{ weeks
ago turns out to be more serious for Tiger Woods than first
thought: It’s knocked him out of the U.S. Open.
By Jeff Shain – The Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. – That innocuous slip on the Augusta National pine straw 8{ weeks ago turns out to be more serious for Tiger Woods than first thought: It’s knocked him out of the U.S. Open.
Woods gave up his spot in the Open field Tuesday, told by doctors that his ailing left knee and Achilles’ tendon could worsen if he tries to compete next week.
“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the U.S. Open, but it’s time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future,” Woods said on his website.
“I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed.”
Woods, a three-time Open winner, will sit out the nation’s championship for the first time since his 1994 debut. Play begins June 16 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
“We completely understand that he is not fully recovered from his injuries and we wish him a speedy recovery,” U.S. Golf Association executive director Mike Davis said in a statement. “The excitement that he generates will be missed.”
Woods first broke the news via his Twitter account, telling followers the decision left him “Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain.”
The injury traces back to the third round of the Masters, suffering a sprained knee as he hit a shot from a stance atop pine straw on the 17th hole. Woods nonetheless tied for fourth after a closing 67, but didn’t hit balls again until three days before The Players Championship.
Woods lasted just nine holes at TPC Sawgrass, suffering a flareup on his opening shot. Asked during a public appearance 12 days later if he tried to come back too soon, he acknowledged, “Yeah, I probably did.”
The owner of 14 major victories has not won a tournament since November 2009 in Australia, a drought that figures to reach 19 months before he plays again. He has fallen to 15th in the world rankings, trailing six other Americans.
Woods’ last major title came three years ago – when he won the 2008 Open after teeing it up against doctors’ advice. Told he had two stress fractures in his leg and needed reconstructive ACL surgery, Woods gutted through 91 holes at Torrey Pines before beating Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff.
The difference, Woods said Tuesday, is doctors told him then that the injury couldn’t get any worse.
“It’s been a frustrating and difficult year, but I’m committed to my long-term health,” he said.
