Tiger Woods to Miss Players Championship

Tiger Woods has opted out of participating in The Players Championship next week, prompting speculation about his upcoming appearances before the Masters at Augusta National. The absence of the five-time Masters champion adds to the roster of prominent players missing from the event, many of whom have joined LIV Golf.

Woods, a two-time winner at the TPC Sawgrass, did not provide an immediate explanation for his decision to skip the tournament. Despite his limited schedule due to injuries, he remains eligible for the event based on his five-year exemption from winning the 2019 Masters.

In his journey towards the Masters, Woods recently participated in the Seminole Pro-Member event in Florida, where he played alongside PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. His competitive outings this year have been scarce, with only a brief appearance at the Genesis Invitational, where he withdrew due to illness after six holes in the second round.

Following surgery to fuse his right ankle after the last year’s Masters, Woods returned to competition at the Hero World Challenge in December. While walking is no longer a significant issue, he continues to experience soreness in other areas of his body, having undergone five surgeries on his back.

Despite his optimism about maintaining a monthly playing schedule leading up to the majors in 2024, Woods did not commit to The Players Championship. Although his absence is notable, his history includes instances of arriving at the Masters with minimal competitive preparation, such as in 2022 following a car accident and in 2010 after personal turmoil.

Looking ahead, the Valspar Championship follows The Players, a tournament where Woods was the runner-up in 2018 but has not returned since. The remaining options before the Masters are the Houston Open, an event he has never participated in, and the Texas Open, which he last played as a sponsor exemption in 1996.

Despite Woods’ absence, The Players Championship boasts a formidable lineup, with defending champion Scottie Scheffler leading the field. Notably, Alexander Bjork is currently the last player confirmed for the tournament.