In what has become a recurring theme over the past five years, the world No 1 walked off the course on Sunday at the Honda Classic, citing injury. Steve Elling takes a look at the brittle 38-year-old American's list of medical maladies:
1. 2010
In his third event back from the sex scandal that nearly derailed his career, Woods withdrew after playing seven holes in the final round of the Players Championship. Woods cited a neck injury of indeterminate origin, which many believe dated to his infamous traffic accident on Thanksgiving night, 2009.
2. 2011
Woods again walked away from the Players Championship in mid-round, this time after shooting a 7-over 42 on the front nine of the first round. Woods said he injured his surgically repaired left knee, which also affected his left Achilles and calf.
3. 2012
After 11 holes of the final round at Doral, Woods was 3 over for the day when he walked off the course, again citing pain in his left Achilles tendon. Well out of contention in the event, he said he tweaked the injury during warm-up. He won two weeks later at Bay Hill.
4. 2013
Woods did not withdraw in the middle of a round, though an elbow injury sustained while hitting out of the rough at the US Open in June caused him to skip his own event, the AT&T National, in early July. He also experienced lingering back issues in the fall, dropping to a knee after hitting a shot at The Barclays event. He blamed the back pain on a bad hotel mattress.
5. 2014
After claiming he spent the off-season working on strengthening his body to ward off injuries, Woods withdrew with back spasms after playing 13 holes in 5 over on Sunday at the Honda Classic. In three starts this year, Woods has yet to finish in the top 20 and has completed only one Sunday round.
