Rivals feel for Woods as injury wrecks Masters bid

Steve Stricker was among those who at first believed the news was a cruel April Fool’s Day joke when informed the 14-time Major winner Tiger Woods has withdrawn from next week’s Masters due to injury.

But then Stricker was not surprised to learn Woods had advised Augusta National officials he has undergone surgery for a pinched nerve in his back and would not tee-up in tomorrow week’s first round.

“After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done,” Woods said in a statement.

“I’d like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters,” Tiger added.

“It’s a week that’s very special to me. It also looks like I’ll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy.

“I’d also like to thank the fans for their support and concern. It’s very kind and greatly appreciated.

“This is frustrating, but it’s something my doctors advised me to do for my immediate and long-term health.”

The withdrawal of the World No 1 and bookies’ favourite for the year’s first Major is a huge blow, not only to golf fans around the world but to TV networks and also fellow competitors such as Stricker.

It will be the first time since 1995, when he competed at Augusta as an amateur player, that he will miss the Masters.

However, Woods has been suffering from back spasms in recent months, which led to him missing last month’s Honda Classic along with struggling over of the final round of the following week’s WGC — Cadillac Championship. Woods then withdrew from the defence of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

News of Woods’s withdrawal was the major talking point yesterday on the practice range at this week’s Shell Houston Open in Texas.

“This is April Fool’s Day and you’re joking aren’t you... and you’re telling me the truth?” asked Stricker smiling.

“No, in all seriousness, I think a lot of us saw this coming and I had heard that he had been making some decisions about his future but not just in the next month or two but over the next 10 years.

“So it’s just too bad and it’s unfortunate for the tournament but then the Masters will still go on, and there’s a lot of great players that will be there, and it’s really anybody’s tournament as it is every other year.

“I know Tiger’s struggled with injury a lot and he’s been hurting for a while as he struggled with it last fall [autumn] at the Presidents Cup coming down the stretch to earn the point that we needed to win.

“It is something we all face as golfers, these nagging little injuries, and sometimes you have to take the time to deal with it and get it right so that you can play on.”

Darren Clarke is a close friend of Woods and the Dungannon man also feels for the American

“It is very disappointing and I feel for him as Augusta is one of his favourite tournaments but his health is more important than any golf tournament,” said Clarke.

“But I am sure with the right rehab and the right doctors and stuff he will be all right.

“You have to remember that Tiger is the sort of guy who has played through a lot of pain before and [the fact] he’s pulled [out of the Masters] then he obviously doesn’t think he can compete.”

And 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman also said Woods will be missed.

“Tiger’s health is the most important thing and it’s going to be sad to see him at Augusta as he has greatly added to the mystique and fanfare of the Masters,” said the South African.

“He’s won at Augusta four times and he was probably going to be the favourite going in and so it’s unfortunate and it’s definitely going to be different this year without him.”