Albany, The Bahamas, November 29: This week Tiger Woods has an unwanted visitor – Plantar Fasciitis’. And, it has taken him away from the tournament he hosts and has often used as a stage to make a comeback into competitive golf.
In a career that dates back to the mid-1990s, the 15-time Major winner has made several comebacks and even won a PGA Tour Championship and a fifth Masters. But a car accident in February 2021, threw his latest comeback into a tailspin.
Now, three days ahead of another planned comeback at the Hero World Challenge, Woods experienced so much pain due to Plantar Fasciitis, that he took the extreme step of ‘withdrawing’ from a tournament that has given him so much joy on the course – five wins – and lots off it, too – with his charity having raised huge funds to support the disadvantaged.
“I did my best to play this week. I have been shooting 64s and 65s. The game has been very good. It is walking that has been a problem. I tried sio hard to play this week. It means so much to me, but I just could not,” said Woods.
Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, who Woods considers a personal friend, said, “Why just us, the whole golfing world is disappointed at Tiger’s withdrawal. But for me, his personal well-being and the rehab is more important. His mere presence this week as the host, a responsibility, since he co-founded the event, is enough for me. I wish him the very best and hope to see him back in action soon.”
Earlier, in a statement, released through his social media handle, Woods, said, “In preparation and practice for this week’s Hero World Challenge, I’ve developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot, which is making it difficult to walk.”
“After consulting with my doctors and trainers, I have decided to withdraw this week and focus on my hosting duties. My plan is still to compete in The Match and PNC Championships.”
Woods has been battling through injuries since his February 2021 car accident. He missed the whole of pandemic-hit 2021 and had just three starts in 2022. He made the cut at the Masters; withdrew after three rounds at the PGA Championships and missed the cut at the Open.
Woods will hopefully play the “The Match” (December 10) with Rory McIlroy against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth and the 36-hole scramble event, PNC Championship (December 17-18) with his son, Charlie.
Sepp Straka, who became the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour this year, take Woods’ place in the 20-man field. With Woods not having played since July 2022, his world ranking had plummeted to 1277. His replacement by Straka, World No. 29, will ironically strengthen in the field in terms of World Rankings points available this week.
The field (USA unless mentioned): Scottie Scheffler, Billy Horschel, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, Jon Rahm (Spain), Sungjae Im (South Korea), Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, Tom Kim, Matt Fitzpatrick (England), Shane Lowry (Ireland), Viktor Hovland (Norway), Corey Conners (Canada), Sam Burns, Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner, Tony Finau, Tommy Fleetwood and Sepp Straka.
