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 The former world number one has been sidelined from competition
since August as he continues his recovery from back surgeries, and
was never likely to tee it up at Augusta National for the April 7-10
event.
"After assessing the present condition of my back, and consulting
with my medical team, I've decided it's prudent to miss this year's
Masters," Woods said in a statement on his official website.
"I've been hitting balls and training daily, but I'm not physically
ready. I've said all along that this time I need to be cautious and
do what's best for my long-term health and career.
"Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn't be the right
decision," said Woods, a four-times Masters champion.
Now aged 40, Woods has not won a major title since he clinched the
14th of his career at the 2008 U.S. Open and his form has slipped
dramatically in recent years due to injuries and the mastering of a
new swing.
A tie for 10th at the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship in August,
following a dismal season in which he missed three cuts in the
majors, gave him encouragement before his health again intervened.
Three weeks later, he had a second microdiscectomy surgery to
alleviate pressure on a disc in his lower back, before needing
another procedure on Oct. 28 on the same area due to discomfort.
He has since been recuperating and in late February he posted a
video of himself swinging a golf club in an effort to shoot down
reports that suggested he had endured setbacks during his
rehabilitation.
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"I'm absolutely making progress, and I'm really happy with how far
I've come, but I still have no timetable to return to competitive
golf," said Woods, who won the Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
He missed the event for the first time in 2014 after undergoing a
microdiscectomy.
"I'd like to express my disappointment to (Masters chairman) Billy
Payne, the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and
patrons that I won't be competing," said Woods.
"It's a very important and special week to me, and it's upsetting to
miss it. I do plan to attend the (Wednesday) Champions Dinner and
see a lot of old friends."
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Larry
Fine)
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