Tiger pulls out of British Open
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Shanghai Daily, July 7, 2011
Tiger Woods said on his website on Tuesday he would skip the British Open next week because his injuries have not fully healed.
"Unfortunately, I've been advised that I should not play in the British Open," Woods said. "As I stated at the AT&T National, I am only going to come back when I'm 100 percent ready. I do not want to risk further injury. That's different for me, but I'm being smarter this time.
"I'm very disappointed and want to express my regrets to the British Open fans."
It will be the second time in the last four years that Woods has missed two majors in one season. He did not play the British Open and PGA Championship in 2008 while recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. These injuries are not as easy to describe.
Woods said in May that he suffered "minor injuries" to knee ligaments and his Achilles while hitting from an awkward stance in the pine straw on the 17th hole in the third round at the Masters. Afterward, he skipped the Wells Fargo Championship and withdrew after nine holes from The Players Championship a week later.
Woods said last week it was a mistake to go to The Players, and that had he waited, he would be playing golf right now.
"In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have competed at The Players, but it's a big event, and I wanted to be there to support the tour," he said. "I've got to learn from what I did there and do it right this time and not come back until I'm ready."
Woods didn't say whether he expected to play in the final major, the PGA Championship, which starts on August 11 at the Atlanta Athletic Club. As he mentioned last week at Aronimink, he doesn't have any idea when he will compete next. He said he has not hit golf balls since May 12 at the TPC Sawgrass.
Woods also indicated at Aronimink that his chances of playing the British Open were remote - taking some of the surprise out of Tuesday's announcement.
so I need to obviously get my body ready so I can practice and eventually play." Woods was replaced at Royal St. George's by Jason Dufner, who said on Twitter, "Looks like I am getting in the open championship, I am excited!"
Brendan Jones was the next alternate, but the Australian told the Royal & Ancient he would not be able to play because his wife is expecting their first child.
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