Tiger Woods announced on his website that he will not play in the U.S. Open next week at Oakmont or the Quicken Loans National, the tournament he hosts which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, the following week.
The 40-year-old Woods has not played since undergoing a third procedure on his back after he tied for 10th last August in the Wyndham Championship.
“While I continue to work hard on getting healthy, I am not physically ready to play in this year’s U.S. Open and the Quicken Loans National,” Woods said in the statement. “I am making progress, but I’m not yet ready for tournament competition.
“I want to thank everyone for their continued support. The positive texts, emails and calls I have received have been incredible. I want to wish Mike Davis, Diana Murphy, the USGA, the players and everyone at Oakmont a very successful week.
“I will be hosting and attending my foundation’s tournament, the Quicken Loans National, at Congressional. It’s the 10th year of our tournament, and we continue to support the community, the military and the programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation.”
Woods, who is three victories short of Sam Snead’s PGA Tour record of 82, and four short of Jack Nicklaus’ mark of 18 major titles, has said he believes he can tie or break both when he returns.
His last victory came in the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational to cap a season in which he won five tournaments, and his last major title came in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where he outlasted Rocco Mediate in an epic 19-hole playoff.
