The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WOODS TAKES A BREAK
Tiger Woods will not be playing competitively until his golf game is tournament ready.
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIF. — Tiger Woods said Wednesday his game is “not acceptable” to compete in tournaments and he will return when he thinks it is.
Hopeful of having injuries behind him, Woods had a horrific start to the new year. He shot a career-high 82 in the second round of the Phoenix Open to miss the cut by 12 shots. And then he withdrew after 11 holes at Torrey Pines because of tightness in his back from a fog delay.
Woods said on his website the last two weeks have been disappointing, especially at Torrey Pines, where he is an eight-time winner. He said he never wants to withdraw, but recent injuries have allowed that to happen too often.
Woods said his latest injury was not related to the back surgery he had last spring, and that he is feeling better every day with physical therapy.
“Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me,” Woods said. “My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I’ve said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.”
Woods is not playing Pebble Beach or Riviera, and said he would practice next week at his home and at The Medalist Club “getting ready for the rest of the year.”
He said he wants to play the Feb. 26 Honda Classic, but he won’t be there unless his game is tournament ready.
“That’s not fair to anyone,” Woods said. “I do, however, expect to be playing again very soon.”
Woods, the winner of 79 PGA Tour events and 14 majors, has never looked this bad on the golf course. He had back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve and missed three months and then took four months off at the end of last year to fully heal. Woods is No. 62 in the world, his worst ranking since before he won his first PGA Tour event in 1996.
“I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game,” Woods said.