Tiger Woods to Miss The Players Championship Amid Personal Loss
Tiger Woods has confirmed he will not participate in The Players Championship next week at TPC Sawgrass, marking the final year of his exemption that arose from his victory at the 2019 Masters.
Recent Playing Activity
Woods’ decision comes after he recently shared that he’s only played three times since the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, on February 4. Notably, two of those appearances were during matches with the TMRW Golf League, alongside an outing with former President Donald Trump on February 9, and a recent performance at the Seminole Pro-Member event.
Woods’ Current Mental State
In a statement made on Tuesday, Woods expressed that he has not fully engaged with his practice routine since his mother’s death. “This is the third time I’ve touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven’t really gotten into it,” he noted. He acknowledged the emotional toll and mentioned, “My heart is not into practicing right now. I have so many other things to do with the tour.” Woods indicated he would reassess his schedule as he begins to feel better.
Players Championship and Exemption Status
Woods has previously triumphed at The Players Championship twice but has not competed in this premier PGA Tour event since 2019, where he tied for 30th place. His 2019 Masters win granted him a five-year exemption, which was extended by an additional year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are no special exemptions for The Players Championship, meaning Woods’ return hinges on improvements in his performance within the tournament circuit.
Future Tournament Prospects
Should he choose to participate in the Masters this year, it would mark his first tournament since he missed the cut at the British Open in July. Woods remains on the list of competitors for the Masters, with no commitment deadline advising his decision regarding participation at Augusta National.
Woods’ Track Record at Augusta
Woods, renowned for his remarkable consistency at the Masters, has never missed a cut as a professional. He set a tournament record last year with his 24th made cut. Additionally, in 19 appearances at The Players Championship, he has only failed to make the cut once in 2011, when he withdrew due to a left leg injury.
