Injuries force Tiger Woods out of Open
Tiger Woods pulled out of the U.S. Open on Tuesday because of lingering issues with his left leg, leaving him uncertain how soon he can resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record for major titles.
It will be the first time Woods has missed the U.S. Open since 1994, when he had just graduated high school.
“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the U.S. Open, but it’s time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future,” Woods said on his website. “I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed.”
Woods said he hoped to be ready for the AT&T National, which starts June 30 at Aronomink, and the next two majors. Then again, he said two weeks ago he would do everything possible to be ready for the U.S. Open, which is far more significant.
“We’re very disappointed that he won’t be playing in the National Open,” USGA executive director Mike Davis said, whom Woods called Tuesday morning. “He certainly brings excitement to the event. He’ll be missed, but the U.S. Open will go on. The event is bigger than one player, but he certainly will be missed.”
Woods’ pain is Michael Whitehead’s gain as the recent Rice graduate will replace the 14-time major winner at Congressional.
Whitehead barely made it through a playoff in the first stage of 18-hole local qualifying and had signed up for the 36-hole qualifier in Ohio, figuring there would be more spots available because of all the PGA Tour players at that site.
Instead, he was moved to Dallas Athletic Club. He wound up in a three-man playoff for the final two spots with tour players Harrison Frazar and Greg Chalmers, but on the first extra hole, Whitehead nearly hit his approach into a hazard and had to scramble for a bogey. He was eliminated and had to settle for being first alternate, with no idea how high up on the alternate list he would be.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Whitehead said “I just got a phone call from the USGA asking if I wanted to play in the U.S. Open because a spot had come open. I said, ‘Um, yes.’ She said Tiger had withdrawn from the Open — that was the implication, at least. So, ‘Thanks, Tiger.’ I guess I’m glad he was listening to his doctors.”
The U.S. Open starts June 16 at Congressional, where Woods won the AT&T National two years ago and tied for 19th when the U.S. Open was last played there in 1997.
He hasn’t won since the 2009 Australian Masters, a stretch of 22 tournaments. He not only lost his No. 1 ranking late last year, he has plunged to No. 15 in the world, his lowest spot in the ranking since the spring of 1997.
Woods announced his decision on Twitter: “Not playing in US Open. Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain.”
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