Tiger Woods has released a statement on his personal website ruling himself out of this years Masters, which kicks off next week.
Woods, who has been battling a back injury since last August and has had two operations to remedy the problem, said via the statement, "After assessing the present condition of my back, and consulting with my medical team, I've decided it's prudent to miss this year's Masters."
"I've said all along that this time I need to be cautious and do what's best for my long-term health and career," he added. "Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn't be the right decision.
"I'm absolutely making progress, and I'm really happy with how far I've come, but I still have no timetable to return."
Tiger has won the competition four times with his last victory at Augusta coming in 2005. The 40 year old finished tied for 17th last year but has fallen to 472nd in the world's rankings.
His rise and fall was discussed by Golf Weekly this week along with a revelation on Off The Ball by Sport's Illustrated's Alan Shipnuck that Tiger "flirted with the idea" of joining the army in an effort to escape the expectations he had placed on himself.
It is the second time in three years Tiger has pulled out of the event having pulled out of the event in 2014 with another back injury.
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