Tiger’s game ‘ unacceptable’
TIGER WOODS has walked away from golf to spare himself further embarrassment.
The 39- year- old, who shot a career- worst round of 82 at the Phoenix Open at the end of January before withdrawing after 11 holes at the Farmers Insurance Open due to injury, has announced he will not play again until his misfi ring game is back in working order. That is unlikely to be until shortly before the Masters on April 9.
“Right now, I need a lot of work on my game and to still spend time with the people that are important to me. My play and scores are not acceptable for tournament golf,” said Woods. “I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.”
Woods insisted the lower- back tightness that forced his withdrawal at Torrey Pines last week is not related to the surgery that forced him to miss the Ryder Cup in the autumn, and that he will return to practice next week. He needs as much as he can get.
Not only is he in the middle of another swing change with coach Chris Como, he also has a nasty case of the chipping yips.
“This latest injury is not related to my previous surgery. I am feeling better every day,” said Woods.
“Next week I will practise at Medalist and at home, getting ready for the rest of the year.”
Woods’ next scheduled appearance is the Honda Classic, which starts on February 26, but if he misses that – as seems likely – he will be ineligible for the season’s fi rst World Golf Championship event at Doral the following week because he is not ranked high enough.
Woods now stands at world No62, his worst position since he turned professional in 1996.