Tiger Woods Pulls Out of Masters After Back Surgery

Tiger Woods will miss the Masters for the first time in his career after having surgery on his back.

Woods said on his website that he had surgery Monday in Utah for a pinched nerve that had been hurting him for several months. He withdrew during the final round of the Honda Classic and skipped his title defense at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

"After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done," Woods said.

Woods says the surgery was successful, but he will need rehabilitation for several weeks.

"I'd like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters," his statement continued.
  Woods says he tried to rest over the last three weeks to be ready for the Masters next week, but that he failed to make enough progress.

The world's No. 1 player says he hopes to be able to return this summer. He did not know how long it would take to recover.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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