Tiger Woods will miss the upcoming AT&T National tournament because of injury. Soreness in his left elbow will keep him sidelined until the British Open in July, the Associated Press reports.
Woods said on Wednesday that soreness in his left elbow is causing him to miss next week's AT&T National, where he was slated to defend his title. This is the sixth straight year an injury has kept Woods from either playing a tournament or completing one.
The elbow soreness is from a strain. The injury was noticeable during the opening hole of the U.S. Open last week after he tried hitting out of the deep rough. He favored his wrist, shaking it and flexing it at times. The No. 5 hole further seemed to aggravate the injury as he shot again from the rough.
"I was examined after I returned home from the U.S. Open, and the doctors determined I have a left elbow strain," Woods said on his website. "I have been advised to take a few weeks off, rest and undergo treatment. I'll be ready to go for the British Open, and I'm looking forward to playing at Muirfield."
Woods finished the U.S. Open at 13 over and tied for 32nd, shooting the worst four-round score of his career. He revealed during the tournament that the injury happened at The Players Championship in May, but he declined to elaborate.
Missing the AT&T National, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, will be his third time since it started in 2007. Knee surgery kept him out in 2008, his left Achilles tendon in 2011 and his elbow injury this year.
"Any time you have Tiger in the field, it certainly adds to it a lot," tournament director Greg McLaughlin told reporters. "But we have a very nice field this year and we look forward to a great AT&T National."
Among the golfers slated to play are Masters champion Adam Scott and U.S. Open champion Justin Rose. Woods is expected to be at the tournament on Wednesday to participate in the opening ceremonies.
