The ongoing 85th edition of the Masters has been rocked by the unexpected withdrawal of golf legend Tiger Woods, who left the tournament due to an injury before completing the third round. As one of the most prominent and successful athletes in the history of the sport, Woods’ absence from the event has sparked a flurry of speculation and raised concerns about his future participation in competitive golf. In this article, we will delve into the details of the injury that forced him to withdraw, the impact of his absence on the tournament, and what this means for Woods’ career moving forward.
Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the Masters before the resumption of the third round Sunday, ending his streak of completing all 72 holes of every tournament he has played at Augusta National as a professional. The tournament announced about 90 minutes before play was to begin that Woods, who is still recovering from a 2021 car accident that nearly cost him his right leg, had withdrawn with an injury. Woods had limped through practice rounds early in the week and again during the first and second rounds, but it had become more pronounced as the weather worsened.
Woods posted to Twitter, “I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis. Thank you to the fans and to @TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today!” The five-time champion finished his second round in cold, driving rain on Saturday to make the cut on the number at 3 over, extending his Masters streak to 23 straight and tying Fred Couples and Gary Player for the longest in history.
By the time the horn blew, ending play with rain still pouring and puddles beginning to form at Augusta National, Woods was at nine over and alone in last place among those that made the cut. That was 22 shots behind leader Brooks Koepka. Woods was injured in 2021 when his car careened off a suburban Los Angeles road at over 137km/h, crushing his right leg so badly that he said doctors considered amputation. Woods has been forced to play a very limited schedule — the majors and a few select events due to his injuries.
While fans and viewers were certainly disappointed to see Tiger Woods withdraw from the Masters before completing the third round, it is clear that his health and wellbeing must come first. Woods is a legend in the world of golf, and his presence on the course is always a treat for sports enthusiasts. We wish him all the best as he recovers from his injury, and hope to see him back in action once he is fully healed. In the meantime, the tournament continues, and we look forward to cheering on the remaining players as they compete for the coveted green jacket.
