Tiger Woods will not be seen until the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black as he looks to reduce his playing commitments in 2019.
The reigning Masters champion was expected to feature at Quail Hollow for the Wells Fargo Championship; a venue where he played six times between 2004 and 2012 and then last year, with success last in 2007.
With the year’s second Major now three weeks away, it is unlikely that he will peg it up in competition before then, with the only opportunity being AT&T Byron Nelson, an event he hasn’t played since 2005.
‘I played a little bit too much last year, because I kept trying to qualify for World Golf Championships and events in the [FedEx Cup] playoffs,’ said Woods after his fifth Masters win.
‘I’m going to play a little bit less than I did last year. Again, in the tournaments I do play in, I’ll be fully invested and committed to playing and trying to win.’
Woods played 19 times last season, including his win at the Tour Championship in his most active season for six years.
‘He’s not ready to go next week,’ said Mark Steinberg, his agent.
‘The Masters took a lot out of him. He’s not hurt, but he is being smart.’
The 43-year-old’s commitment to managing his body saw him withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, and has meant he has just six events to his name in the current campaign.
Woods has, however, committed to the PGA Tour’s first official event in Japan, the ZOZO Championship, to be played in October. He is also set for an exhibition match in Asia as part of a GolfTV agreement.
The PGA Championship returns to Bethpage Black from 16-19 May.
Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
