Tiger Woods withdraws from 2016 U.S. Open, is ‘not physically ready to play’

Tiger Woods will not play in the 2016 U.S. Open or in the Quicken Loans National as he continues to recover from back surgery. While Woods said he is making progress, he said he is still “not physically ready to play” in a statement he released on his website.

“While I continue to work hard on getting healthy, I am not physically ready to play in this year’s U.S. Open and the Quicken Loans National,” Woods said. “I am making progress, but I’m not yet ready for tournament competition.”

Woods has not played in a tournament since the Wyndham Championship in August of 2015, and he said he is still not ready for tournament competition. The statement he released on Tuesday is very similar to the statement he released in the week leading up to the Masters. Woods also said he was “not physically ready” when he announced he would not be playing at Augusta National.

This is the second time Woods has been forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open in the last three years. He missed the 2014 U.S. Open while recovering from a previous back surgery. He underwent two additional back surgeries last year, the last coming in late October.

There was some speculation Woods might make his return at the U.S. Open after he registered for the event back in April. But that was merely procedural in order to keep him eligible and give him more time to make a decision. At that point, there was a lot of thought that Woods’ return could come sooner rather than later. That speculation has diminished in recent weeks, especially after Woods duffed three shots into the water during a promotional appearance in May.

Woods may be recovering, but appears to need more time, not only to heal his back but to sharpen his game. Making a debut in the U.S. Open at Oakmont -- among the most challenging golf courses in the world -- was likely not a recipe for success.

In addition to withdrawing from the U.S. Open, Woods also announced he would not playing in the Quicken Loans National at Congressional. That event is scheduled for June 23-36, the week after the U.S. Open. Woods’ absence there is significant as that is a tournament his foundation hosts. If Woods was physically able, that is certainly an event he would play in.

By missing the U.S. Open, Woods will have been forced out of four of the last 10 majors due to back troubles. Poor play has also plagued him during that stretch with only two made cuts in the other six events. Woods’ T17 finish at the 2015 Masters is his only top-20 finish since the 2013 British Open.