The former golf world number one Tiger Woods has ruled himself out of next month's US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina as he recovers from back surgery, having already missed the opening major of the year, the Masters in April.
The three-time US Open champion has been sidelined from competitive golf since late March after requiring treatment for a pinched nerve in his back that had troubled him for months.
Woods said in a statement on his website that he can't play competitive golf as he's not yet physically able to yet, so won't be at the US Open - though he remains very optimistic about his year and his future, despite missing the first two majors now.
This will be the sixth major championship missed by Woods due to injury, and he remains stuck on his career tally of 14 having not clinched one of golf's blue riband events since the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.
The 38-year-old American has been increasingly plagued by injuries in recent seasons as the wear and tear of years on the Tour are starting to take a toll.
