Tiger Woods’s announcement on his website about his returning to play golf has been the headlines on most of the newspapers which leading no mention was made of The Open when Tiger Woods announced on his website on Wednesday that he has now also withdrawn from the AT&T National.
But in the light of the fact that the AT&T is close to his heart (partly because it benefits his Tiger Woods Foundation) and that he would not have opted to give it a miss easily, his latest withdrawal has raised more questions about the seriousness of his injuries and, with it, raised more doubts about the chances of him being fit enough to play again this year, let alone in the season's third major, The Open on July 14, in a little over three weeks time.
Woods has not struck Forged Irons club in competition since pulling out of the Players Championship after just nine holes with knee and Achilles heel injuries in early May and now, nearly two months later when he says he will miss the AT&A next week because he is following doctors orders, there is every reason to indicate that his injuries were more than the run of the mill kind that can be easily cured with the right treatment and a few weeks rest.
"I'm disappointed I won't be able to play the Mizuno JPX E600 Forged Irons in this year's AT&T National, but I'm listening to my doctors and allowing time to completely heal," Woods said on his website, adding, "But "I am looking forward to being Aronimick in Philadelphia to support the event. The Philly fans are always amazing, and I really enjoy supporting my foundation and celebrating our troops."
The golfing world will be hoping that the 14-time major winner and it's greatest 21st Century ambassador does not have to announce another withdrawal in the next two weeks and is fit enough to tee off in the 140th Open Championship at Royal St Georges in Kent but as the event draws closer it looks as if he is running out of time. (Mizuno JPX E600 Forged Irons)
For rushing headlong into a major without any warm-up event could be every bit as damaging to his already battered confidence as playing with injuries that are not fully healed.
I think it will be some time before we see the old Tiger get up on a competitive tee box and once more strike a ball in anger.
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