Tiger Woods’ back trouble is back
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Although Tiger Woods’ return from injury hasn’t exactly set the world alight – he missed the cut by four shots at the Quicken Loans National, his first tournament back, and only just made it to the weekend at The Open – it’s been good to have him back out there. The increased crowds and television audiences Tiger attracts have been in evidence, even though he hasn’t been in contention to win anything.
No one, then, could have enjoyed seeing the 14-time Major champion in substantial physical distress on Sunday, around four months after surgery to alleviate a pinched nerve in his back. Woods reinjured his back during the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after playing a shot from an awkward stance and was forced to withdraw seven holes later.
“It happened on the second hole when I hit my second shot,” said the world number 10. “I fell back into the bunker. I just jarred it, and it’s been spasming ever since.”
38-year-old Woods struggled through several more holes, making three consecutive bogeys, and hit a 315-yard drive at the ninth before calling for a buggy to escort him from the course. The former world number one is now back in Florida for evaluation and treatment.
Asked about his chances of being back for this week’s US PGA at Valhalla, Woods said: “I don’t know. Just trying to get out of here.”
It looks unlikely that Woods will be there to take his scheduled spot alongside Phil Mickelson on Thursday, and his chances of making the Ryder Cup team for Gleneagles look slimmer by the day. Almost certainly relying on a captain’s pick, Woods lost to Tom Watson at The Open. Asked whether he would pick Woods, the 64-year-old said, “Everybody is thinking that I’m going to pick them [Woods and Mickelson] automatically. I can assure you that I’m not going to pick them automatically.”
Watson has since said that “If he’s playing well and he’s healthy, I’ll pick him”. He’s not playing well, and he’s certainly not healthy, so we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Team USA lining up without Woods come September.
