Why isn’t Tiger Woods playing at the 2023 US Open?

Tiger Woods’ injury woes continue, with the legendary golfer confirmed to be out for the 2023 US Open, from June 15 to June 18 at the Los Angeles Country Club in California.

The USGA announced back in May that Woods would miss the tournament as he continues to recover from ankle surgery.

The legendary golfer underwent an ankle fusion procedure on April 19. At the time, his agent confirmed there was no planned timetable for a return to golf. “The first goal is to recover and lead a much more enjoyable day-to-day life,” Mark Steinberg said.

Woods suffered severe injuries to his right leg, ankle and foot in a car crash back in February 2021.

Is Woods coming back?

While he made his official decision to withdraw on May 22, following the USGA’s initial exclusion of his name from the player list, Woods has not yet addressed his withdrawal from the tournament or provided an update on his return to golf.

This April surgery adds to a series of injuries, surgeries, and setbacks that Woods has faced in the later years of his career. His surgically repaired right leg has been a recurring source of trouble.

Woods is aware that he may be approaching the physical limitations of his limb, considering the challenges he has faced and the ongoing recovery process.

Tiger Woods’ misses out on Majors

Since the accident, Woods has only played in five official PGA Tour events, making the cut in four but only finishing in two.

This year he made the cut in the 87th Masters in April, but pulled out during the third round, where he was seen hobbling - he said plantar fasciitis was to blame.

He then missed the PGA Championship, held at Oak Hill May 18-21, and now has pulled out of the 2023 U.S. Open, the third straight year he has not taken part.

All eyes are now on the 151st Open, being held this year at Royal Liverpool, where Woods won in 2006, the last time he lifted the famous Claret Jug. The tournament starts on July 16.

Recovery from ankle fusion surgery generally requires a boot or cast to be on the foot for at least eight weeks, which would mean June 14 at the very earliest. Presumably he will require some rehab after the boot or cast comes off, with just a month to go before the Open starts.

Woods suffering significant pain

Recently, a famous professional golfer from Australia and a close companion of Tiger Woods, Jason Day, shared updates on Woods’ health status.

Day revealed that Woods has been experiencing significant pain and difficulties walking due to a screw implanted in his leg after the severe accident last year.