Tiger Woods’ absence is hanging over…

There’s as much talk about Woods not playing the Players Championship this week at TPC Sawgrass as there is about the stars who are here — beginning with defending-champion Scottie Scheffler, who’s fresh off his second Arnold Palmer Invitational victory in the past three years. Woods was widely expected to be in the field this week.

 

That would follow the natural progression of his stated plan, which was to play one tournament a month, including the major championships.

 

Tiger Woods of the United States reacts to his shot from the sixth tee during the second round of The Genesis Invitational Tiger Woods isn’t taking part in this week’s Players Championship.

 

Getty Images Woods was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational last month at Riviera with a bout of what he called the flu, being driven off the course in the middle of his second round.

He was well enough to play in the annual prestigious Seminole pro-member nine days ago — paired with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh and striking the ball extremely well, according to a report by Brad Faxon, who was also in the field. Woods last played the Players Championship in 2019, shortly before his historic Masters victory in April of that year. Technically speaking, his eligibility to play in the Players has only one year remaining, 2025, based on his Masters win in ’19 that gave him a five-year exemption.

 

He was well enough to play in the annual prestigious Seminole pro-member nine days ago — paired with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh and striking the ball extremely well, according to a report by Brad Faxon, who was also in the field.

 

Woods last played the Players Championship in 2019, shortly before his historic Masters victory in April of that year. Technically speaking, his eligibility to play in the Players has only one year remaining, 2025, based on his Masters win in ’19 that gave him a five-year exemption.