Tiger Woods out of Ryder Cup

August 14, 2014. Tiger Woods is going to take a break after the melt down at Valhalla and has pulled himself out of consideration of the Ryder Cup hopefuls. Woods has informed the PGA of America and United States Captain Tom Watson that due to his current health situation, he had taken himself out of consideration to serve as a Captain’s Pick for the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup Team.

On his website, the former world number 1 said:

I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now. I was fortunate that my recent back injury was not related to my surgery and was muscular only.

I have already spoken to Tom [Watson] about the Ryder Cup, and while I greatly appreciate his thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I took myself out of consideration. The U.S. team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I’ll be cheering for the U.S. team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.

I plan to return to competition at my World Challenge tournament at Isleworth in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 1-7. It’s an event that’s important to me and my foundation, and it will be exciting to be playing again.

Woods has appeared on seven U.S. Ryder Cup Teams between 1997 and 2012. He did not compete in 2008, due to injury. “By making this decision, Tiger has put the U.S. Ryder Cup Team and his health first,” said PGA President Ted Bishop on the website of the institution. “And although we’re disappointed that he will not be part of this year’s Team, we respect Tiger’s decision, and wish him all the best for a speedy and successful recovery. This is a classy and respectful move by Tiger that allows Captain Watson plenty of time to formulate his team plans accordingly.”