Woods out of US Open

GOLF:TIGER WOODS is out of next week's US Open – the first time he has missed the event since his 1995 debut.

The knee and Achilles’ injuries which forced him out of the Players Championship after just nine holes a month ago yesterday led to his withdrawal from the second major of the season.

He said on his website tigerwoods.com: “I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the US Open, but it’s time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future.”

The former world number one’s statement continued: “I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles’ tendon are not fully healed.

“I hope to be ready for AT & T National (on June 30th-July 3rd), the next two majors and the rest of the year.”

Woods was diagnosed with a grade one mild medial collateral ligament sprain to his left knee and a mild strain to his left Achilles’ suffered while hitting a second shot on the 17th hole during the third round at the US Masters.

He was unable to play the Wells Fargo Championship and limped through nine holes in 42 shots, before quitting at Sawgrass.

The last of Woods’ 14 major victories came at the 2008 US Open despite a ruptured cruciate ligament and a double stress fracture of the left tibia, but was told then by doctors that playing would not make his leg worse.

Graeme McDowell told Sky Sports News: “Of course it’s a massive blow for the US Open – to not have one of the greatest players that’s ever lived is massive.

“There have been question marks over his health for the last couple of months. When I saw him hobbling through the locker-room at the Players Championship the warning signs were there.

“Tiger plays his cards close to his chest and it’s pretty difficult to know what’s going on, but obviously this is a lot more serious than we thought.

“Will he be back? Nobody knows at the minute, there’s obviously a lot going on.

“But whoever picks up that trophy next week there’s not going to be an asterisk against the name saying Tiger Woods did not play. They will be a deserving champion.”