Nick Faldo helps Tiger Woods pull on his first Green jacket 20 years ago. Photo: AP
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https://scmp.com/sport/article/2084030/its-official-tiger-woods-out-masters Sport
It’s official: Tiger Woods is out of the Masters
Ailing golf great says his back injury will prevent him teeing up at Augusta National next week
Tiger Woods has not competed since pulling out of a European Tour event in Dubai in early February. Photo: AP
Tiger Woods will miss next week’s US Masters golf tournament because of his troublesome back and has no timetable for his return to competitive golf, the former world number one said.
It will be only the third time Woods has missed the year’s first major since he first competed at Augusta National in 1995. The four-time champion did not play at the Masters in 2014 or 2016 and tied for 17th in 2015.
“I did about everything I could to play, but my back rehabilitation didn’t allow me the time to get tournament ready,” Woods said on Friday.
“I have no timetable for my return, but I will continue my diligent effort to recover, and want to get back out there as soon as possible.”
The 14-time major winner said he would still be at Augusta National’s clubhouse on Tuesday for the annual Champions Dinner ahead of the April 6-9 Masters.
Woods returned to the PGA Tour in January after a 17-month absence following back surgery but has not played a tournament since he pulled out of a European Tour event in Dubai because of a back spasm in early February.
He missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open after shooting rounds of 76 and 72 and shot an opening-round 77 a week later in Dubai.
Now 41, Woods has not won a major title since he clinched the 14th of his career at the 2008 US Open and his form has slumped dramatically as he has battled injury in recent years.
This year’s Masters marks the 20th anniversary of Woods winning the first of his four Green Jackets at Augusta National. He also won the title in 2001, 2002 and 2005.