THREE-TIME OPEN champion Tiger Woods has lost his battle to be fit for this year’s tournament at Sandwich after failing to fully recover from his recent leg injury.
The former world number one strained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and his left Achilles tendon while playing a shot from underneath the Eisenhower tree during the third round of this year’s Masters at Augusta National.
Although the 14-time Major winner attempted to make a speedy return to action at The Players Championship a month later, he was forced to abandon his tournament after just nine holes when he aggravated the injury on the first tee.
Announcing that he would not be competing for the Claret Jug which he last won in 2006, Woods issued a statement through his website this afternoon, saying that he had personally contacted R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson to explain his withdrawal.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been advised that I should not play in the British Open,” today’s statement read.
“As I stated at the AT&T National, I am only going to come back when I’m 100 percent ready. I do not want to risk further injury. That’s different for me, but I’m being smarter this time.”
I’m very disappointed and want to express my regrets to the British Open fans.
The 35-year-old, who has suffered a dramatic decline in form since a series of scandals rocked his personal life, acknowledged that he had made a mistake in trying to return to the course too quickly.
“In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have competed at The Players, but it’s a big event, and I wanted to be there to support the tour,” Woods said. “I’ve got to learn from what I did there and do it right this time and not come back until I’m ready.”
I think my best years are still ahead of me, and I’m very confident and optimistic about the future.
