While the news was not surprising, it provided another reminder that opportunities to witness a true great at the pinnacle of his profession are swiftly slipping from view.
On Monday, the USGA announced Tiger Woods had withdrawn from next month’s US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, the season’s third major coming too soon as the American continues his recovery from recent surgery.
Woods, a three-time tournament winner, underwent a “subtalar fusion procedure” immediately following last month’s Masters, the 15-time major champion requiring an operation to treat post-traumatic arthritis in his ankle. The issue dates to the severe leg injuries Woods sustained in a serious car crash in February 2021.
At Augusta, Woods’ physical problems were laid bare. A video circulated on social media showing the five-time champion struggling to walk on the course. Understandably, and having already made his 23rd Masters cut, Woods withdrew before the weather-delayed third round was complete. He confirmed in a statement he had "reaggravated" his plantar fasciitis – a tissue inflammation causing pain in the heel.
Woods' inability to make the US Open, scheduled to begin on June 12, had therefore been expected. Winner of the tournament in 2000, 2002 and 2008, he skipped the event last year – he hasn’t competed since 2020, when he missed the cut at Winged Foot – in what marked his only major miss in 2022.
However, it seems certain now he will be one for four this season. Woods, 47, sat out last week’s US PGA Championship, and the Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in England in July looks a longshot, too.
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Tiger Woods acknowledges the crowd after a birdie on the first hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, California, USA, on February 16, 2023. EPA -
Tiger Woods plays a shot onto the 13th hole fairway from the rough during the first round of the Genesis Invitational. USA Today -
Tiger Woods walks across the 18th hole during the first round of the the Genesis Invitational. AFP -
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods on the 18th green during the first round of the the Genesis Invitational. Getty -
Tiger Woods reacts after making birdie on the 18th green during the first round of the the Genesis Invitational. AFP -
Tiger Woods plays his approach shot to the 18th hole during the first round of the the Genesis Invitational. Getty -
Crowds watch Tiger Woods on the 18th green during the first round of the the Genesis Invitational. Getty -
Tiger Woods and Harry Diamond, caddie for Rory McIlroy, at the end of the first round. AFP -
Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 18th green during the first round. Getty -
Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 15th hole. EPA
Woods, as granted it feels like he does almost everywhere he has played professionally, has history with the Hoylake course: he captured his third Claret Jug there in 2006.
Yet his US Open omission most probably paves the way for Woods to sit out Liverpool as well. And then what of his 2023 season? The PNC Championship, where he plays alongside son Charlie at the year-end, pro-and-family-member tournament, could well form his next objective.
Battling his body evermore, Woods has played five competitive events in the past 13 months, missing the cut in two and withdrawing from another.
In fact, his recent major record underlines the physical rigours the former world No 1, now ranked 1,025th, has been through. In 10 major appearances since the genuinely momentous Masters victory in 2019, Woods has missed the cut four times and withdrawn mid-tournament - last year's PGA Championship, Augusta this year - twice.
Next month’s US Open represents Woods final exemption for the event having won it in 2008, but no doubt the USGA will continue to invite arguably the game’s greatest player as long as he believes he can compete.
Which, admittedly given Woods’ undeniable stoicism or stubbornness, could still have a few more iterations to run yet.
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Tiger Woods waves to the crowd on the 18th green after finishing his round during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2022. AFP -
Tiger Woods and caddie Joe LaCava shake hands on the 18th green after finishing their round of the Masters. Getty -
Tiger Woods tips his cap on the 18th green during the final round at the Master. AP -
Tiger Woods hits out of the pine straw on the 14th hole during the final round of the Masters. EPA -
Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Masters. EPA -
Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm walk down the fairway on the 11th hole during the final round of the Masters. EPA -
Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters. EPA -
Tiger Woods and Joe LaCava discuss his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters. EPA -
Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 13th green during the final round of the Masters. AFP -
Tiger Woods plays his shot left-handed on the 13th hole during the final round of the Masters. Getty -
Tiger Woods hits a shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Masters. AFP -
Tiger Woods on the ninth green during the final round of the Masters. EPA
