Courtesy: CBSSports.com
Tiger Woods has announced that he is missing the 2014 Masters after undergoing surgery on his back 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 on his website.
“I’d like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters. 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.”
It will be the first Masters missed by Woods since 1994.
“This is frustrating, but it’s something my doctors advised me to do for my immediate and long-term health.”
“It’s tough right now, but I’m absolutely optimistic about the future,” Woods said. “There are a couple [of] records by two outstanding individuals and players that I hope one day to break. As I’ve said many times, Sam and Jack reached their milestones over an entire career. I plan to have a lot of years left in mine.”
He also said he would try to be ready by summer which probably puts his US Open status in jeopardy as well.
Woods’ injury is clearly more serious than anyone first imagined because Woods wouldn’t miss the Masters unless it was going to hurt the quest for 18 majors.
That probably is what’s best for Woods long-term but that doesn’t mean it’s not a bummer in the short-term.
For him, for the tournament, and for golf fans everywhere.
