Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the PGA Championship before Sunday’s final round, the first time he has withdrawn during a Major championship.
The PGA of America announced the decision of the 15-time Major champion and four-time PGA Championship winner on Twitter hours after Woods shot nine-over 79 to tumble down the leaderboard at Southern Hills. Woods, who was making just his second tournament appearance since sustaining traumatic injuries to his right leg in a car accident in February 2021, was visibly hobbled throughout his round on Saturday and appeared to be in significant discomfort.
Woods said before the tournament that his surgically rebuilt right leg had strengthened significantly since he returned to competition at last month’s Masters, and he looked to be in better physical condition in his pre-tournament preparation at Southern Hills.
“I just think that I’ve put in a lot of hard work with my team, and I believe in them and what they have been able to get me to do,” Woods said on Tuesday. “I just have to go out there and obviously do it and hit the golf shots. Now, I’ve had to alter my golf swing here and there and practice sessions and work on things, and I’ve had to do a lot of shadow swinging in front of mirrors because I’m just not able to handle impact, but I’ve gotten better and stronger since then, and will continue to improve.”
But he turned up Thursday morning with a noticeable limp and struggled physically over the first two rounds amid intense heat and humidity. Woods battled for a one under 69 on Friday to sneak past the cut line with a shot to spare only for temperatures to drop nearly 20 degrees before Saturday’s third round. The chilly weather combined with the quick turnaround after Friday’s round were a rough combination for Woods, 46, who has struggled in colder temperatures even before the accident.
It is not clear when Woods will play next. He told Sky Sports after the Masters that he will play in the 150th Open Championship (July 14-17) at St Andrews and also committed to the JP McManus Pro-Am.
