Tiger Woods will miss this year’s Masters and probably more majors this year as well.
Credit: Reuters
The biggest name in golf will miss the biggest event in golf.
Tiger Woods announced on Twitter this morning he will miss the 2014 Masters after undergoing surgery on a pinched nerve in his back.
Sad to say I’m missing the Masters. Thanks to the fans for so many kind wishes. http://t.co/Ofbre9VHEL
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 1, 2014
Woods has been battling back problems the last few months, including pulling out of the Honda Classic in early March in the middle of the fourth round. He played a week later at the WGC Cadillac Championship, but aggravated the back injury while hitting out of a bunker in the final round and struggled to a 5-over score and 25th place finish.
“After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done,” Woods said in a statement. “I’d like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters. It’s a week that’s very special to me. It also looks like I’ll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy.”
Woods can begin training again in three weeks, but it looks likely he could miss a few months.
He is a four-time winner of the Masters, most recently in 2005. He has not won a major since 2008 when he limped his way to a win the U.S. Open. He underwent major knee surgery not long after winning that event.
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