Given his struggles on the course of late, the news hardly comes as a major surprise.
Woods released a statement on his personal website last night revealing that he was removing himself from consideration for the US Ryder Cup team for this year’s tournament in Gleneagles as a result of a back injury that has plagued him for the most of this year.
The statement read: “I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now. I was fortunate that my recent back injury was not related to my surgery and was muscular only.
“I have already spoken to Tom [Watson] about the Ryder Cup, and while I greatly appreciate his thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I took myself out of consideration. The U.S. team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I’ll be cheering for the U.S. team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.
“I plan to return to competition at my World Challenge tournament at Isleworth in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 1-7. It’s an event that’s important to me and my foundation, and it will be exciting to be playing again.”
Woods underwent surgery on a troublesome back problem in March, but has failed to perform to anywhere near his usual standard since his return in tournaments including the British Open and the US PGA – both claimed by the heir apparent to his throne, Rory McIlroy – and the Bridgestone Invitational, where he withdrew during the final round a week before the major in Valhalla last weekend.
The world number 11 announced his intention to return at his World Challenge Tournament in Orlando in December, which will give him over three months to get himself right and attempt to get back to somewhere approaching his best after a difficult year on the course.
