The agony and the doubts continue to assail Tiger Woods. Golf’s fading attraction accepted defeat in his latest struggle with injury on Tuesday, withdrawing from next week’s Open Championship.
Down and out: Tiger Woods has not competed since mid-May due to leg injuries Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Woods delivered the news directly to Peter Dawson, the chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, in a phone call to St Andrews.
Woods is formally recovering from a ‘grade one mild medial collateral ligament sprain to his left knee and a mild strain to his left Achilles tendon’, both of which he sustained during the third round of the Masters in April.
Another interpretation would be that he is battling not against ailments but the ravages of time. His left leg has been operated upon four times. In athletic terms it is shot to pieces.
“Unfortunately, I’ve been advised that I should not play in the British Open,” Woods said. “As I stated at the AT&T National [a week ago], I am only going to come back when I’m 100 per cent ready. I do not want to risk further injury. That’s different for me, but I’m being smarter this time. I’m very disappointed and want to express my regrets to the British Open fans.”
Dawson combined sympathy and diplomacy with his response to Woods’s exit.
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