Tiger Woods pulls out of U.S. Open
Published: 08 Jun. 2011, 20:02
It will be the first time Woods has missed the U.S. Open since 1994, when he had just graduated high school.
“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the U.S. Open but it’s time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future,’’ Woods said on his Web site. “I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed.’’
Woods said he hoped to be ready for the AT&T National, which starts June 30 at Aronomink, and the next two majors. Then again, he said two weeks ago he would do everything possible to be ready for the U.S. Open, which is far more significant.
“We’re very disappointed that he won’t be playing in the National Open,’’ USGA executive director Mike Davis said, whom Woods called Tuesday morning. “He certainly brings excitement to the event. He’ll be missed, but the U.S. Open will go on. The event is bigger than one player but he certainly will be missed.’’
The U.S. Open starts June 16 at Congressional, where Woods won the AT&T National two years ago and tied for 19th when the U.S. Open was last played there in 1997.
Woods was replaced by Michael Whitehead, a senior at Rice University who was first alternate from the Dallas qualifier. Whitehead had to win a playoff just to get out of the first stage of 18-hole qualifying and was stunned to get the news.
“They said on the phone that Tiger has withdrawn from the Open,’’ Whitehead said. “So, ‘Thanks, Tiger.’ I guess I’m glad he was listening to his doctors.’’
The future of Woods, meanwhile, is as muddied as ever.
“The hardest thing in the world as a golfer, or any athlete, is to stay out,’’ two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange said. “It’s smart what he’s doing. Unfortunately, the U.S. Open falls in that time frame. But every time something happens, and the longer he’s away from the game, it’s going to make it tougher for him to come back. It’s going to be harder and harder the [longer] this goes.’’
Woods hasn’t won since the 2009 Australian Masters, a stretch of 22 tournaments, and has fallen from No. 1 in the rankings to No. 15.
AP
한글 관련 기사 [중앙일보]
무릎 부상 우즈, US오픈 골프 불참
타이거 우즈(36·미국)가 왼쪽 무릎과 아킬레스건 부상 때문에 US오픈 골프대회에 참가하지 않기로 했다고 8일(한국시간) 자신의 홈페이지를 통해 발표했다. US오픈은 오는 16일부터 나흘간 미국 메릴랜드주 베데스타의 콩그레셔널 골프장에서 열린다.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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