Not surprisingly, Tiger Woods has withdrawn from next week’s Open Championship at Royal St. Georges at Kent in England.
The 14-time Major winner advised championship organisers, the R & A, injuries to his Achilles Heal and knee still had not healed sufficently for the American to return to competition.
Woods has not played competitively since withdrawing after nine holes in May’s Players Championship at Sawgrass in Flordia that meant also pulling out of last month’s U.S. Open at Congressional in Maryland.
Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, has wished Woods all the best for his rehabilitation.
“I know how disappointed Tiger is not to be able to play in The Open this year,” said Dawson.
“Naturally, we are sorry that a player of his calibre isn’t able to join us at Royal St George’s, but we wish him well in his recovery and hope to see him back soon, competing in front of the fans that love to see him play the game.”
Woods indicated in a statement, “Unfortunately, I’ve been advised that I should not play in the British Open.
“As I stated at the AT&T National, I am only going to come back when I’m 100 percent 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”.
Woods will be replaced by fellow American Jason Dufner, who made his Open Championship debut at St Andrews last year, before finishing tied-fifth in the PGA Championship, at Whistling Straits.
Dufner takes the place of Japan Tour based Australian, Brendan Jones who was the first reserve but he has also withdrawn as his wife is expecting a baby.
The next three players on the reserve list, as of now, are as follows:
1. Robert Garrigus
2. Anthony Kim
3. Simon Dyson
Americans Webb Simpson, JB Holmes and Steve Marino, along with Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Yuta Ikeda of Japan were promoted from the reserve list, bringing the current field to 154 players, with the two last places available this weekend at the John Deere Classic and the Scottish Open.
