DUBLIN, Ohio — Tiger Woods withdrew from the U.S. Open on Wednesday as he recovers from back surgery that has kept him out of golf for nearly three months.
It will be the second U.S. Open, and sixth major, Woods has missed because of injury over the last six years.
The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 12-15 at Pinehurst No. 2, where Woods tied for third in 1999 and was runner-up in 2005.
The announcement on Woods’ website was not surprising. He said a week ago that he still had not taken a full swing with a golf club and did not know when he could.
Woods had microdiscetomy surgery to relieve a pinched nerve on March 31.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be there because I’m not yet physically able to play competitive golf,” Woods said. “I’d like to convey my regrets to the USGA leadership, the volunteers and the fans that I won’t be at Pinehurst. The U.S. Open is very important to me, and I know it’s going to be a great week.”
Woods last played on March 9 at Doral, where he closed with a 78 while suffering what he called back spasms. He withdrew in the middle of the final round at the Honda Classic with back pain a week earlier.
Woods is a three-time U.S. Open champion, one short of the record shared by Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones and Willie Anderson. Woods’ most recent U.S. Open victory was in 2008 at Torrey Pines, where he won in a playoff over Rocco Mediate a week before he had season-ending knee surgery.
Woods has not indicated when he might be able to return to competition, saying that would be up to his doctors and how he recovers from the surgery.
“Despite missing the first two majors, and several other important tournaments, I remain very optimistic about this year and my future,” he said.
Photo via Twitter/@SINow
