Tiger Woods explains Ryder Cup withdrawal

Tiger Woods explains why he made himself unavailable for Gleneagles

Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is taking a break from professional golf until December
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods has explained his decision to declare himself unavailable for Ryder Cup selection ahead of the 2014 contest at Gleneagles

Tiger Woods has explained his decision to declare himself unavailable for Ryder Cup selection ahead of the 2014 contest at Gleneagles.

The 38-year-old - who underwent back surgery on March 31 and missed four months of the season - was forced to withdraw from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, just his third event back, and looked in clear discomfort during the USPGA Championship.

With speculation growing over his prospective role in the Ryder Cup and Tom Watson facing a barrage of questions on the issue, Woods decided to clarify his position last week.

And now, he's revealed in greater detail why he feels he can't take part at Gleneagles.

"Physically I just couldn't do it - I wouldn't be ready and not being ready for my team-mates, for the captain, assistant captains and everyone who's involved in the event, I just wouldn't be ready and I just couldn't help the team," said Woods.

"When your name's called, your name's called and you need to be able to go out there and get a point.

"I just didn't feel like I could be ready enough where I could get a point and with that being said, it was time to shut it down, get stronger, get more explosive again and get back for next year."

The 14-time major champion is hoping to be back in time for the Chevron World Challenge, an event he hosts, in December.

"I probably won't be swinging a club for another month but just getting stronger each and every day," he added.

"I've got basically three-and-a-half, four months off where I get to be physically fit, when I come back I'll be explosive again and stable."

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x