Due to an injury, Tiger Woods is out of the Ryder Cup. He removed himself from consideration for the Ryder Cup team Wednesday evening with a clear message that he is not healthy enough to play.
Tiger Woods has notified U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson that he will not be able to play in the biennial match play bout against Europe Sept. 26-28 in Scotland. Tiger Woods has been plagued with a bad back all season and had surgery March 31 to relieve pressure caused by a pinched nerve. This causes him to withdraw because of the said injury.
"While I greatly appreciate Tom thinking about me for a possible captain's pick, I must take myself out of consideration," Tiger Woods said in a statement released Wednesday by the PGA of America, who co-runs the Ryder Cup. "I've been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They've advised me not to play or practice now."
"I'm extremely disappointed that I won't be ready for the competition. The U.S. team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I'll be cheering for the U.S. team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches."
Tiger Woods said on his web site he's eyeing a return to competition in December in Orlando at the World Challenge tournament that benefits his foundation.
"My primary wish is for Tiger Woods to be healthy and competitive, and I hope that he'll return to the game very soon," Watson said in a release. "Of course, I'm disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be.
"However, I think we can all agree that we need Tiger Woods in this great sport, and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process. My focus will remain on identifying three players to join the U.S. team and give us the best chance for success at Gleneagles."
And because Tiger Woods withdraws from the Ryder Cup due to an injury, here are the list that Watson will be considering for his three captain's picks are Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Vice-captain Steve Stricker, Ryan Moore, Brendon Todd and Chris Kirk.
