Woods to miss Honda Classic
Honda Classic organisers have confirmed that Tiger Woods will miss this year's event.
Woods told fans in October that it may take him a year to be pain-free again after undergoing back surgery for the second time in his career, which meant there was a slim chance that he would be fit for the February 22-28 event at the PGA National Resort & Spa.
However, tournament executive director Ken Kennerly has confirmed to ESPN West Palm that Woods will not be present at this year's tournament.
The news of Woods' absence comes just hours after Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelsen all confirmed their participation.
Woods played in the event – which takes place near his Jupiter Island home – from 2012 to '14, with a tie for second place behind Rory McIlroy his best finish.
This year's tournament will feature arguably its strongest field ever, after McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Branden Grace, Kevin Kisner, Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyma all confirmed their availability.
Woods had a microdiscectomy on September 16, 2015, after undergoing the same procedure shortly before the Masters the year before. He returned to action to play in the Open and PGA Championships, but looked a shadow of his former self and decided to sit out the remainder of the season to recuperate.
"The last one, it took me a while to get back. Some players on Tour have done the same procedure, and to be back pain-free it took them over a year," he said in October.
"This year I tried to play after the back surgery and it wasn't fun because of all of the pain," Woods said in October.
"Also after my last surgery, I was changing my swing, and to be able to do that successfully you have to practice a lot, and I could not practice because I was doing the rehab.
"It was a very complicated situation because of that."
Latest
-
Courses
Six of the toughest holes in golf anywhere in the world
Check out six of the toughest holes in golf
-
Instruction
WATCH: Tommy Fleetwood explains his three-quarter swing
Tommy Fleetwood has an interesting swing style which has caught the attention of many.
-
Equipment
Lucas Glover raises eyebrows with new broomstick putter from L.A.B
Lucas Glover is set to switch the new L.A.B. Golf DF3 broomstick putter into his bag after a brief trial.
-
Videos
WATCH: Dog proves why he’s man’s best friend with refreshments delivery on golf course
Just when you think a man’s best friend couldn’t get any better somebody shows us they can.
-
Equipment
Cameron Young trialling unusual prototype club at The Players
Cameron Young is out to solve a great riddle of the Players Stadium Course in Palm Valley with an unusual but logical addition to his bag.
-
Courses
How much will a round at Glendower Golf Club’s championship course set you back?
Glendower Golf Club is both beautiful and challenging.
-
Equipment
Ping’s G730 irons deliver on promises of more distance and maximum forgiveness
Ping deliver easy-to-hit high-launch distance irons.
-
Videos
WATCH: Golfer defies logic with sand wedge escape filmed in super-satisfying slow-mo
You won’t see anything more satisfying today.
-
News
Rickie Fowler’s driver trials and tribulations show how tough it is for pros to find the right fit
The driver struggles have been real for Rickie Fowler.