The announcement came on Tuesday via Woods's website, saying he would not make the trip to the Kent coast because of the injuries to his left knee and achilles. "I've been advised that I should not play in the British Open," the statement read. "I am only going to come back when I'm 100% 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."
He will be replaced by a fellow American Jason Dufner, Australia's Brendan Jones having turned down the chance to play because his wife is expecting.
Woods's withdrawal was not unexpected, but it nevertheless cast further doubt on the trajectory of his career. He stands 17th in the world rankings – his lowest since 1997 – and he is without a win in 20 months. His last victory on the US PGA Tour came almost two years ago, while his last in a major championship was the 2008 US Open.
The world of golf has moved on since he was in his prime, a new generation of stars has emerged, and with an increasingly burdensome left leg – it has been operated upon on four different occasions – there must now be some serious doubts about Woods's ability to restore anything approaching his former dominance.
"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. I've got to learn from what I did there and do it right this time and not come back until I'm ready.
Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club which organizes the Open Championship, said: "I know how disappointed Tiger is not to be able to play in the Open this year."Naturally, we are sorry that a player of his caliber isn't able to join us at Royal St George's, but we wish him well in his recovery and hope to see him back soon, competing in front of the fans that love to see him play the game."
The sense of disappointment was echoed by Woods's peers, with Padraig Harrington saying the American, for all his recent difficulties, remains a big attraction for both the public and players. "As much as you try to avoid looking at any other player, he is still the name you would look at the most," the Irishman said.
"It's a good feeling when you go down the stretch with Tiger and it's a great feeling when you beat him."He certainly pushed everybody else along. I'm looking forward to him getting back and disappointed he's not there."
When he is playing in a tournament, we all like to beat him. It is not that we wanted him to turn up and win next week. But it would still have been nice to have him there and create some of the buzz at the event. Let's hope it is not that bad. Let's hope it fully recovers and we see him back on the golf course. It is a good feeling when you go down the stretch with Tiger and it is a great feeling when you go down the stretch and beat him."
Speculation surrounding Woods's return now switches to the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron – a tournament he has won seven times – which will be played in the week before the US PGA. As for the Open Championship, the absence of the man who once dominated golf will only increase the attention on the newly minted US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
Following his memorable US Open win in 2008, his most recent major title, Woods revealed he had a double stress fracture in his left tibia and also added that he had been playing for almost a year with a torn ligament in his left knee.
He subsequently had surgery and missed the next eight months, including that year's Open and PGA Championships.
Woods took five months away from golf in 2009/10 after his much-publicised marital problems but returned for the 2010 Masters.
He had Achilles trouble in late 2010 before suffering a sprained left knee and a mild strain to his left Achilles tendon after hitting out of the pine straw at this year's Masters at Augusta.
Although he returned for the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Woods - who has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters in November 2009 - played only nine holes, dropping six strokes in the process, before withdrawing from the event.
Australian Brendan Jones was first on the reserve list to replace Woods but he declined the invitation so American Jason Dufner will fill the vacancy at Sandwich.
Via gaurdian.co.uk
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