MIAMI – Tiger Woods will not compete in the Players Championship starting on Thursday, making it likely that the 15-time Major champion’s next event will be the Masters at Augusta National in April.
The PGA Tour announced the field for its flagship event at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Friday, and Woods – who won the tournament in 2001 and 2013 – was not on the list.
The American, still limited by the severe lower right leg injuries he suffered in a February 2021 car accident, last played at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera in February.
He made the cut and finished tied for 45th, acknowledging that it was “a little bit more difficult than I probably let on”.
The 47-year-old had offered no clues to his future schedule, apart from saying he hoped to compete in all four Majors.
“Like I told you guys last year, I’m not going to play any more than probably the Majors and maybe a couple more,” Woods said.
“That’s it, that’s all my body will allow me to do.
“My back the way it is, all the surgeries I had on my back, my leg the way it is, I just can’t.
“That’s just going to be my future.”
The Genesis Invitational marked Woods’ first tour-level event since he missed the cut at the British Open last July.
He had skipped the US Open to be ready for St Andrews.
He had made a stunning return to competition at the Masters in 2022 to finish 47th, but he withdrew from the PGA Championship after the third round.
Ahead of the Players Championship, the spotlight is on the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, where Kurt Kitayama shot a four-under 68 on Friday, and holds a two-stroke lead midway through the PGA Tour event.
The 30-year-old American sits at nine-under 135 after two rounds at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge.
Jordan Spieth, who carded a second-round 69, is second at seven under.
Xander Schauffele (70) and Canada’s Corey Conners (66) are tied for third place at six under.
Justin Thomas (67), Davis Riley (69), Patrick Cantlay (71) and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick (69) share fifth spot at five under.
First-round leader Jon Rahm of Spain followed a seven-under round on Thursday with a four-over 76 on Friday, leaving him in a tie for 13th at three under.
Kitayama, who is seeking his first PGA Tour victory in his 50th start, carded five birdies and one bogey.
He is a leader or co-leader after 36 holes for the third time this season, the most of any player on tour.
“I think I’ve put myself in good spots,” he said.
“Right now, I feel like I’m just trying to get that win but it’s tough, especially with the guys I’ve been against.
“So just got to keep putting myself in that position to give myself a chance.
“Definitely a lot of confidence knowing that I’m able to stay with them. You get a couple good breaks and it’s your tournament, really.
“So I just got to try to be right up there until the end.”
Spieth had a run of four birdies and three pars on the back nine before closing with a bogey on the par-four 18th hole.
The three-time Major champion hit his final drive 199 yards into thick rough on the left and was allowed a free drop.
“I was trying to, like, hit a low one that held the wind that didn’t get up in the air much and I drop-kicked it, which I don’t think I’ve ever done on tour,” he said.
“I’ve hit a lot of good tee balls. That one wasn’t one of them.”
AFP, REUTERS
