Tiger Woods' wise decision will give another professional golfer a chance to prove himself and also likely save Tom Watson from answering the same media questions. Woods announced on Wednesday he withdrew his name from consideration for a spot on the 2014 Ryder Cup team.
The PGA of America and US Ryder Cup team captain Tom Watson were notified of Woods' decision on Wednesday evening, which will now narrow Watson's search for three players he must choose by September 2. The 14-time major winner was subject of much speculation to be one of those three selections, but he chose to withdraw because of his ailing back.
Woods underwent back surgery on March 31 to repair a pinched nerve and then began intensive rehabilitation and soft-tissue treatment to endure his return to the PGA Tour. In his first event since the surgery, Woods participated in the Quicken Loans National on June 26 and failed to make the cut after rounds of 74 and 75 in the first two days. He then followed up that performance and qualified for the British Open a couple of weeks later, but finished in 69th place at 6-over par.
"While I greatly appreciate Tom thinking about me for a possible captain's pick, I must take myself out of consideration," said Woods in this ESPN article. "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'm extremely disappointed that I won't be ready for the competition. 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."
Woods only participated in seven events this year, earning just over $108,000 and missing the cut in four tournaments. Not only was his spot on the Ryder Cup team in question after his surgery, but his return to the old Tiger - or even a resemblance - is still up in the air. Woods is only four major championships away from tying Jack Nicklaus' record of 18, but Tiger hasn't earned such a victory since the 2008 US Open. After problems with his knee and back, the former No. 1 golfer in the world has multiple victories since 2008, including one at the Players Championship in 2013, but has failed to win on golf's biggest stage in over six years.
Since 2008, Woods has suffered a ruptured ACL, a torn Achilles tendon, a stress fracture in his tibia, an MCL sprain, three re-injuries of his Achilles, and surgery on his back after over a year of suffering spasms. Tiger hopes to rest over the next couple of months before the 2014-2015 PGA season begins on October 6.
You can read more about Tiger Woods' withdrawal from consideration for the Ryder cup in this Reuters news article.
