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Tiger Woods withdraws himself from Ryder Cup consideration due to injury Tiger Woods withdraws himself from USA Ryder Cup mix due to injury
(about 11 hours later)
Tiger Woods has spoken of his “extreme disappointment” after removing himself from consideration for the US Ryder Cup team in order to fully recover from his back injury. Tiger Woods has spoken of his “extreme disappointment” after removing himself from consideration for the USA Ryder Cup team in order to fully recover from his back injury.
Woods has struggled all season with back trouble, and has missed two major championships as he struggled to recover from surgery earlier this year. At the PGA Championship last week at Valhalla, the former No1 missed the cut, but remained hopeful that he might be fit enough to be considered as one of US captain Tom Watson’s three wild-cards to face Europe at Gleneagles in September. Woods has struggled all season with back trouble, and has missed two major championships as he struggled to recover from surgery in late March. At the US PGA Championship last week at Valhalla the former world No1 missed the cut, but he remained hopeful that he might be fit enough to be considered as one of the USA captain Tom Watson’s three wild-card picks to face Europe at Gleneagles in September.
However, Woods has now withdrawn himself from selection. “While I greatly appreciate Tom thinking about me for a possible Captain’s Pick, I must take myself out of consideration,” Woods said. However, Woods has now withdrawn himself from selection. “While I greatly appreciate Tom thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I must take myself out of consideration,” Woods said.
“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’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’m extremely disappointed that I won’t be ready for the competition. The US 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 US Team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.” “I’m extremely disappointed that I won’t be ready for the competition. The US 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 US team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.”
Despite Woods’s recent poor form, the news represents a blow to a US team that have won just two of the last nine tournaments, and have not triumphed in Europe since 1993. The 38-year-old has a wealth of Ryder Cup experience, having made seven appearances between 1997 and 2012. Despite Woods’s recent poor form, the news represents a blow to a USA team who have won just two of the last nine tournaments, and have not triumphed in Europe since 1993. The 38-year-old has a wealth of Ryder Cup experience, having made seven appearances between 1997 and 2012.
“My primary wish is for Tiger to be healthy and competitive, and I hope that he’ll return to the game very soon,” said Watson. “Of course, I’m disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the US Ryder Cup Team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be. “My primary wish is for Tiger to be healthy and competitive, and I hope that he’ll return to the game very soon,” said Watson. “Of course, I’m disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the US Ryder Cup team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be.
“However, I think we can all agree that we need Tiger Woods in this great sport, and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process. My focus will remain on identifying three players to join the US team and give us the best chance for success at Gleneagles.”“However, I think we can all agree that we need Tiger Woods in this great sport, and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process. My focus will remain on identifying three players to join the US team and give us the best chance for success at Gleneagles.”
Watson is set to name his three wild-card selections on 2 September, while nine of his team – Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kichar, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed – have already automatically qualified. Watson will name his three wild-card selections on 2 September. Nine of the team – Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kichar, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed – have already automatically qualified.
“By making this decision, Tiger has put the US Ryder Cup team and his health first,” said PGA President Ted Bishop. “And although we’re disappointed that he will not be part of this year’s team, we respect Tiger’s decision, and wish him all the best for a speedy and successful recovery. This is a classy and respectful move by Tiger that allows Captain Watson plenty of time to formulate his team plans accordingly.” “By making this decision Tiger has put the US Ryder Cup team and his health first,” said the US PGA president Ted Bishop. “And although we’re disappointed that he will not be part of this year’s team, we respect Tiger’s decision, and wish him all the best for a speedy and successful recovery. This is a classy and respectful move by Tiger that allows captain Watson plenty of time to formulate his team plans accordingly.”
The 14-times major winner has confirmed that he plans to take an extended leave from the game until December to ensure he is fully fit. The 14-times major winner has confirmed that he plans to take an extended leave from the game until December to ensure he is fully fit. “I plan to return to competition at my World Challenge tournament at Isleworth in Orlando, Florida on 1-7 December,” Woods said on his website. “It’s an event that’s important to me and my foundation, and it will be exciting to be playing again.
“I plan to return to competition at my World Challenge tournament at Isleworth in Orlando, Florida on 1-7 December,” Woods said in a statement on his website. “It’s an event that’s important to me and my foundation, and it will be exciting to be playing again.