Woods to miss Ryder Cup

Tiger Woods is out of not just next month's Open, but also the Ryder Cup in September and all golf for the rest of the year.

Few can now question that the world number one's US Open victory on Monday was one of the most amazing achievements ever in sport.

It was announced tonight that Woods has a double stress fracture of his left tibia and needs anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

Staggeringly, Woods knew about the fracture before grabbing the 14th Major of his career in a play-off against fellow American Rocco Mediate.

"I knew much was made about my knee throughout the last week and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time," said the 32-year-old in a statement on his website.

"I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA (United States Golf Association) and their incredibly hard work and make sure the focus was on the US Open.

"Now it is clear that the right thing to do is listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

The statement added that the stress fracture was discovered last month just before the Memorial tournament in Ohio.

That was due to be Woods' comeback from the knee surgery he underwent two days after coming second in The Masters in April.

However, the fact that he then decided to play at Torrey Pines, a course where he has now won five times in a row, simply defies belief.

Repeatedly during the five days of the event - the US Open play-off is over 18 holes and with both players still tied at the end of that it went to another hole - Woods was in agony.

The caddie of Robert Karlsson, who played with Woods in the third round, told Paul Casey that there were even noises coming from the knee as Woods swung.

"He said there was a moment, I think on the 18th, where he stepped up to hit his tee shot and backed off because of weird noises," Casey stated today.

"They all chuckled and he said: 'I shouldn't hit this one too hard'. He got it in play and made eagle! Amazing.

"I think he's so focused on his goal, beating Jack's record (Nicklaus has 18 majors), and he battled through it. It shows how determined he is to beat that record."

In an interview with German television before this week's BMW International Retief Goosen questioned whether Woods really was in serious trouble.

The South African said: "It just seemed that when he hit a bad shot he was in pain and on his good shots he wasn't. I believe if he was really injured he would not have played."

Goosen has since insisted he was speaking light-heartedly and his manager Guy Kinnings said tonight that he would be among the first to wish Woods a speedy recovery.

Not being able to play at Royal Birkdale on July 17-20 is a huge blow for him and the championship.

Woods would have been going for his fourth Open title on a course where he missed out on a play-off by just one shot 10 years ago.

It will presumably be next April's Masters that he resumes his quest to catch and overtake Nicklaus, but the seriousness of the situation must even leave a question mark over that until he makes a complete recovery from the reconstructive surgery on his knee.

His doctors have assured him, meanwhile, that his stress fractures will fully heal in time.

How well America can do without him in the Ryder Cup remains to be seen, of course.

Woods has played in the last five matches, but four of those have been European victories and he makes no secret of the fact that he does not consider the match as important as the Majors.

His opening tee shot at The K Club near Dublin two years ago was hooked into the lake, setting the tone for a terrible week for Tom Lehman's side.

Europe won by nine points that week, equalling their record winning margin of two years earlier in Detroit.

It should be remembered - and this should concern new American captain Paul Azinger - that Woods did end up winning three of his five games and his only defeat in singles was against Costantino Rocca on his debut at Valderrama in July 1997.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said: "For an athlete as talented and competitive as Tiger Woods, taking the rest of the season off must have been an incredibly difficult, yet necessary decision, one that we understand and support completely.

"The fact he needs additional surgery only makes his performance and victory at last week's US Open all the more impressive.

"First and foremost, our concern - as it would be for any of our players facing surgery or illness - is for Tiger's health and overall wellbeing, both on and off the golf course. We wish him a speedy recovery."

US PGA president Brian Whitcomb said: "Once again this weekend, Tiger showed his special brand of skill and determination which makes him our game's greatest champion.

"As a fellow PGA member and friend we wish him a full and speedy recovery."

US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger added: "I admire Tiger as a person, player and fan.

"This should not be about Tiger and the Ryder Cup now - this is about Tiger's health and wellbeing and his march to history."