TROON — Tiger Woods is out of the British Open, the first time he has sat out three majors in one year.
The R&A announcement that the 14-time major champion has withdrawn was not a surprise. Woods has not played in nearly a year as he recovers from two back operations. He has given little indication when he will be healthy enough to return.
Woods said last week at his Quicken Loans National that he has played 18 holes, but was trying to work his way toward playing multiple rounds and still have strength to hit balls when he’s done playing.
He said during the tournament telecast that sitting out has been frustrating.
“It’s not fun. It’s a tough road,” he said. “I know I’m getting better, I’m progressing, but still I’m just not quite ready to be out here. … I know I can play with these guys. I know I still can. I just need to get healthy enough where I can do it on a regular basis.”
This will be only the third time Woods has missed the British Open. He had knee surgery in the summer of 2008 and missed Royal Birkdale, and he missed the Open at Royal St. George’s in 2011 while recovering from leg injuries.
Woods was replaced in the field by Marcus Fraser of Australia.
Woods broke par only one round in his Royal Troon debut in 1997 when he tied for 24th. In 2004, while he was rebuilding his swing, he tied for ninth, his only top 10 in a major that year.
He last played in the Wyndham Championship last August and tied for 10th. Woods had a second back surgery a month later, and then a third one in October. With the PGA Championship just two weeks after the British Open, it is likely he will not play any majors this year.
Luke Donald now is the first alternate if anyone else withdraws, or if the remaining five qualifying spots — four at the French Open, one at the Barracuda Championship — are not filled.
