Tiger Woods appeared destined for a long layoff when he withdrew from the final round of The Players complaining of neck pain, then scuttled swing coach Hank Haney. But two weeks later, he has decided to play in the Memorial (June 3-6), says the Golf Channel.
The Jack Nicklaus-hosted tournament has been a favorite of Woods since he won three straight (1999-2001). He also captured the title last year, becoming the first four-time winner in the history of the event, which was established in 1976.
Woods also will play with Phil Mickelson and Nicklaus in a nine-hole Wednesday skins match, which has quickly become a Memorial tradition.
By playing in The Memorial, Woods holds to his preferred routine – playing two weeks before majors, then a week off. Pebble Beach will host the U.S. Open (June 17-20). The last time the event was held there (2000), Woods won by an Open-record 15 strokes.
