Topline
Golf legend Tiger Woods announced Tuesday he will skip next week’s U.S. Open tournament to focus on staying healthy for July’s British Open, marking the first major tournament Woods will pass on attending since returning to golf after a devastating car accident.
Tiger Woods waves after his third round on the 18th hole at the PGA Championship golf tournament at … [+]
Key Facts
Woods tweeted the news, saying “my body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf.”
He said he plans to next play at the two-day JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland from July 4-5 before taking part in the British Open, also called the Open Championship.
Woods withdrew from the PGA Championship last month after a poor showing in the third round, complaining of constant pain in his right leg, which was severely injured in the accident.
Woods said last year he would “never” again play full-time on the PGA Tour after his February 23, 2021, car crash.
Surprising Fact
Woods recently rejected a “mind-blowingly enormous” deal to join LIV Golf, the controversial, Saudi-funded tour, LIV CEO Greg Norman told the Washington Post. Norman claimed the offer to Woods was in the “high nine digits.”
Key Background
Woods suffered open fractures to his right tibia and fibula when he crashed his car over a median in Los Angeles—injuries that were so serious doctors considered amputating his leg. The accident brought an abrupt end to what had been a career renaissance for the once-dominant Woods, highlighted by his win at the 2019 Masters. Woods returned to major championship golf at this year’s Masters tournament, where he posted a strong first round before struggling as play went on.
What To Watch For
The U.S. Open will be held at the Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, from June 16-19. The British Open is set for July 14-17 on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.
Further Reading
Tiger Woods Posts Strong Opening Round In Return To Masters (Forbes)
The Shark is on the attack again (Washington Post)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/06/07/tiger-woods-skipping-next-weeks-us-open-to-get-stronger/