Tiger Woods will not be teeing off at The Players Championship next week, sparking speculation about his upcoming schedule leading to the Masters at Augusta National.
The absence of Woods, a five-time Masters winner, adds to the list of notable names missing from The Players, including those who joined LIV Golf. His exclusion from the field at TPC Sawgrass, where he has claimed victory twice, raises questions.
While the exact reason for Woods’ decision to skip the tournament was not immediately clear, his absence is notable considering he remains eligible due to his five-year exemption from winning the 2019 Masters.
In his journey back to competitive golf, Woods participated in the Seminole Pro-Member event last week in Florida, playing alongside PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. Apart from this, his only other competitive outing this year was at the Genesis Invitational, where he withdrew after six holes in the second round due to illness.
Following surgery to fuse his right ankle post-Masters last year, Woods made a comeback at the Hero World Challenge in December. Despite ongoing physical challenges, including multiple surgeries on his back, he expressed optimism about playing monthly leading up to the majors in 2024.
Although he did not commit to The Players, it seemed a logical choice given its status as the premier championship on a course he has conquered twice.
Looking ahead, the Valspar Championship follows The Players, a tournament where Woods was runner-up in 2018 but has not returned since. The remaining events on the schedule, the Houston Open (which he has never played) and the Texas Open (last played in 1996), offer limited options for his preparation.
Nevertheless, Woods has a history of surprising appearances at the Masters, often arriving with minimal tournament play. Notably, in 2022, he returned to Augusta for the first time since a serious car accident, finishing 47th.
His resilience has been evident throughout his career, with notable performances even after prolonged breaks, such as in 2010 following personal challenges.
Despite Woods’ absence, The Players Championship boasts a formidable field, with defending champion Scottie Scheffler leading the pack. Notably, Alexander Bjork rounds out the field in the wake of Woods’ withdrawal.
