One of golf's finest will not be in the field during the 2023 Open Championship.
Legend Tiger Woods is going to miss his third straight major after withdrawing from the Masters this year. The Open Championship, Woods' favorite major, has been in question since he underwent a subtalar fusion surgery for post-traumatic arthritis in his foot in April.
Woods' timetable to return from the surgery is murky, but he's clearly being conservative. Speculation after the surgery was that Woods' season was over, and he confirmed in June that he would miss the Open Championship.
"We have been advised that he won’t be playing at Hoylake," a spokesman said in June, per Sports Illustrated. "We wish Tiger all the best with his recovery."
MORE: Why Tiger Woods won't play The Open Championship in 2023
The surgery Woods had was speculated to take three months to heal, which would put his timeline right around mid-July. Combine that with the training required for a major, and the Open was always going to be a long shot, to say the least.
Tiger Woods injury updates
Woods, 47, underwent a subtalar fusion surgery for post-traumatic arthritis from his foot in April. The surgery was to address injuries suffered in his 2021 car crash near Los Angeles, where Woods suffered severe damage to his right leg, ankle, and foot.
Though the injuries were operated on and Woods made a return to golf, the surgery fused two bones together.
Woods' timeline to return is unknown, but at this point golf fans shouldn't expect to see him until next season. Woods has previously said he only wants to commit to playing in majors, so his next competition could well be the 2024 Masters at Augusta.
MORE: How long is Tiger Woods out? Latest news, injury timeline
Tiger Woods Open Championship finishes
Woods has said the Open Championship is his favorite tournament, so him missing this year's iteration likely means he's in serious pain (or simply doesn't feel he's adequately prepared).
Woods last made the cut for the Open Championship in 2018, where he finished tied for sixth. He has won it three times, including back-to-back in 2005 and 2006.
| Year | Finish |
| 1995 | T-68 |
| 1996 | T-22 |
| 1997 | T-24 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | T-7 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | T-25 |
| 2002 | T-28 |
| 2003 | T-4 |
| 2004 | T-9 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | T-12 |
| 2008 | DNP |
| 2009 | CUT |
| 2010 | T-23 |
| 2011 | DNP |
| 2012 | T-3 |
| 2013 | T-6 |
| 2014 | 69 |
| 2015 | CUT |
| 2016 | DNP |
| 2017 | DNP |
| 2018 | T-6 |
| 2019 | CUT |
| 2020 | N/A |
| 2021 | DNP |
| 2022 | CUT |
| 2023 | DNP |
How many times has Tiger Woods won the Open Championship?
Woods has three wins at the Open Championship — in 2000 and 2005-06 — which are well off Harry Vardon's mark of six championships.
Four others have won it five times (Peter Thomson, Tom Watson, J.H. Taylor, and James Braid), and still move have won it four times (Tom Morris, Tom Morris Jr., Willie Park Sr., Walter Hagen and Bobby Locke).
Woods is among nine golfers who have won the tournament three times, including distinguished company such as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo.
