Steve Stricker and one of Tiger Woods closest friends first thought it was a cruel April Fool’s Day joke, when informed the 14-time Major winner has withdrawn from next week’s Masters due to injury.

Woods advised Augusta National officials he has undergone surgery for a pinched nerve.

“After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done,” Woods said in a statement.

“I’d like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters,” Tiger added. “It’s a week that’s very special to me. It also looks like I’ll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy.

Tiger Woods and good friend Steve Stricker in happier times for Woods.

“I’d also like to thank the fans for their support and concern. It’s very kind and greatly appreciated. This is frustrating, but it’s something my doctors advised me to do for my immediate and long-term health.

“I’d also like to thank the fans for their support and concern. It’s very kind and greatly appreciated.”

The withdrawal of the World No. 1 and favourite for the year’s Major Championship is a huge blow not only to golf fans around the world but to TV networks and also his fellow competitors such as Stricker.

It will be the first time since 1995 since he was an amateur Woods will miss the Masters.

However Woods has been suffering from back spasms in recent months as evident in having to withdraw from last month’s Honda Classic along with struggling over of the final round of the following week’s WGC – Cadillac Championship.

Then last fortnight Woods withdrew from the defence of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

News of Woods withdrawal certainly was the major talking point yesterday (TUES) on the practice range at this week’s Shell Houston Open in Texas.

“This is April Fool’s Day and you’re joking aren’t you and you’re telling me the truth?” said Stricker smiling.

“No in all seriousness I think a lot of us saw this coming and I had heard that he had been making some decisions about his future but not just in the next month or two but over the next 10 years.

“So it’s just too bad and it’s unfortunate for the tournament but then the Masters will still go on, and there is a lot of great players that will be there, and it’s really anybody’s tournament as it is every other year.

“I know Tiger’s struggled with injury a lot and he’s been hurting for a while as he struggled with it last Fall at the Presidents Cup coming down the stretch to earn the point that we needed to win.

“It is something we all face as golfers these nagging little injuries and sometimes you have to take the time to deal with it and get it right so that you can play on.”