Tiger hopes to return for AT&T National
Tiger Woods will miss the U.S. Open next week at Congressional, the 14-time major champion announced Tuesday on his website.
“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the U.S. Open, but it is time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future,” Woods announced on TigerWoods.com. “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. I hope to be ready for AT&T National, the next two majors, and the rest of the year.”
The AT&T National, the annual tournament hosted by Woods, begins June 30 outside of Philadelphia. The next major, the British Open, tees off at Royal St. George’s on July 14.
| U.S. Open |
| When » June 16-19 |
| Where » Congressional Country Club, Bethesda |
| TV » NBC |
| The Tiger factor |
| With Tiger Woods missing the U.S. Open, TV ratings are expected to take a hit. Over a three-year span from 2007 to 2010, Woods was involved in every tournament that drew a 4.0 TV rating or better. The 2008 PGA Championship — which Woods missed because of an injury — drew a 2.78 rating on the Sunday broadcast — meaning about 3.6 million people watched. The 2009 PGA Championship, with Woods squaring off against |
| Y.E. Yang in a playoff, drew a 6.64 — about 8.7 million viewers. According to former Turner executive Jeff Grimshaw, Woods brings an additional 3 to 6 million viewers. |
| – Jim Williams |
“Not playing in U.S. Open,” Woods said via Twitter. “Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain.”
While the U.S. Open loses its primary drawing card in Woods, there will be little economic impact to the tournament, which is nearly sold out. Sponsorships and advertising have long been sold, but television ratings are likely to suffer.
“Tiger Woods has always provided drama and intensity to our national championships and the attention his participation has always provided will be missed,” U.S. Golf Association official Rand Jerris said in a statement. “Having said that, we have historically conducted our national championship to identify the most deserving golfer each year, completely irrespective of economic expectations.”
Although he is mired in the worst slump of his career, golf fans in Washington were anxious to see Woods, who has played here five times — the 1997 Open at Congressional, the 2000 and 2005 Presidents Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, and the AT&T National in 2007 and 2009.
“We are disappointed,” said Mike Davis, executive director of the USGA. “The excitement that he generates will be missed, but the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club will surely provide an excellent test for the 156 world-class players in the field.”
This will be the first time Woods, 35, has missed a U.S. Open since playing in his first one in 1995. Starting with his historic victory in the Masters in 1997, Woods played 46 straight major championships before undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left knee after winning the 2008 U.S. Open.
Woods has not won a major since, as his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ hallowed record of 18 majors has stalled. After his major surgery in 2008, Woods came back with a strong 2009, winning six tournaments. But after running his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant outside his home on Thanksgiving weekend 2009 and subsequent revelations of marital infidelity, Woods hasn’t won a tournament.
This year, he injured his knee in the third round of the Masters, where he finished tied for fourth. Woods was diagnosed with a Grade ?1 (mild) medial collateral ligament sprain to his left knee and a mild strain of his Achilles’ tendon. Woods returned five weeks later at the Players Championship, but pulled out after shooting a 42 for nine holes and claiming that he reinjured his leg on his opening tee shot. Since then, Woods has needed crutches and a walking boot.
“It’s been a frustrating and difficult year, but I’m committed to my long-term health,” Woods said.
