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The Players’ Championship lost a big name on Friday as Tiger Woods announced he will not participate. Woods has been dealing with back stiffness throughout the early going of this season and he explained his need to skip the event.
It was not an easy decision, but I will not be attending @THEPLAYERSChamp. I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed. My back is simply just not ready for play next week. I'm sad to miss one of the best events of the season, OUR Championship.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 6, 2020
Woods dealt with back stiffness at the Genesis Invitational and then skipped the WGC-Mexico Championship. His agent told ESPN the back is “not concerning long term, just not ready.”
The Masters is a month away, and this raises concerns about his chances of defending his 2019 victory. Woods is currently installed at +1400 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Rory McIlory is the favorite at +650, followed by Jon Rahm (+1000), Justin Thomas (+1100), Brooks Koepka (+1200), and Woods.
It’s possible Woods enters a tournament before the Masters, but given the back issue, we probably will not see him on the course until Augusta.
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