AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tiger Woods withdrew from the Masters earlier than the resumption of the third spherical due to an damage Sunday, ending his streak of finishing all 72 holes of each match he has performed at Augusta Nationwide as knowledgeable.
The match introduced about 90 minutes earlier than play started that Woods, who remains to be hobbled by the consequences of the 2021 automotive accident that almost value him his proper leg, had withdrawn. He’d limped via follow rounds early within the week and once more throughout the first and second rounds, however the limp had change into extra pronounced because the climate worsened.
“I’m dissatisfied to need to WD this morning as a consequence of reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods said on Twitter. “Thanks to the followers and to (at)TheMasters who’ve proven me a lot love and help. Good luck to the gamers at the moment!”
The five-time champion completed his second spherical in chilly, driving rain on Saturday to make the lower on the quantity at 3 over, extending his Masters streak to 23 straight and tying Fred {Couples} and Gary Participant for the longest in historical past.
The 47-year-old Woods headed again out for the beginning of the third spherical as temperatures struggled to achieve 50 levels, and it wound up being a water-logged slog. Sporting a grey winter hat over a baseball cap, he began on the tenth gap with a bogey, added one other at No. 14, after which had back-to-back double bogeys after discovering the water on Nos. 15 and 16.
It was the primary time Woods has ever had consecutive double bogeys on the Masters.
By the point the horn blew ending play with rain nonetheless pouring and puddles starting to face at Augusta Nationwide, Woods was at 9 over and alone in final place amongst those who made the lower. That was 22 pictures behind chief Brooks Koepka.
“I’ve all the time cherished this golf course, and I really like taking part in this occasion,” Woods stated after his second spherical Saturday. “Clearly I’ve missed a pair with some accidents, however I’ve all the time needed to play right here. I’ve cherished it.”
Woods additionally withdrew earlier than the ultimate spherical of final yr’s PGA Championship with what his agent, Mark Steinberg, described as ache and discomfort in his proper foot. That got here hours after the 15-time main champion limped to a 79 at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in equally chilly and windy climate; he had shot 69 within the second spherical.
Woods captured his fifth inexperienced jacket in 2019 when he completed one shot forward of Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele. It was his first main win in 11 years and, at age 43, Woods turned the second-oldest participant to win the Masters after Jack Nicklaus, who was 46 when he received his sixth inexperienced jacket in 1986.
Woods was injured in 2021 when his automotive careened off a suburban Los Angeles street at over 85 mph, crushing his proper leg so badly that he stated docs thought-about amputation. Requested how a lot {hardware} held it collectively, Woods replied: “Rather a lot.”
Woods recovered and made the lower on the Masters final yr earlier than capturing back-to-back 78s on the weekend.
The accidents have pressured Woods to play a really restricted schedule — the majors and some choose occasions. He shot two rounds within the 60s and completed tied for forty fifth at The Genesis Invitational at Riviera in February, however he skipped Bay Hill and The Gamers Championship in order that he can be wholesome and prepared for a return to Augusta Nationwide.
The query now could be whether or not Woods will play the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Might. The U.S. Open is at Los Angeles Nation Membership in June, not removed from the place Woods grew up, and the British Open is at Royal Liverpool in July.
“Yeah, mobility, it’s not the place I would really like it,” Woods stated. “I’ve stated to you guys earlier than, I’m very fortunate to have this leg — it’s mine. Sure, it has been altered and there’s some {hardware} in there, however it’s nonetheless mine. It has been robust and can all the time be robust. The power and endurance of what my leg will do going ahead won’t ever be the identical. I perceive that.
“That’s why I can’t put together and play as many tournaments as I like, however that’s my future, and that’s OK. I’m OK with that.”