Los Angeles, Cape Town: Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods has registered to play in the US Open in June, the US Golf Association confirmed on Monday.
Woods had until Wednesday’s deadline to register for the tournament, which takes place at Oakmont Country Club this year, but completed his registration three weeks ago.
The 40-year-old has not played at all this year since undergoing two procedures on his back in 2015.
Woods’s agent Mark Steinberg told ESPN that the 14-time major winner’s registration for the tournament was “simply procedural.”
“No reason to read anything into this,” Steinberg was quoted as saying.
Woods also registered to play in the US Open last year before backing out after failing to fully recover from back surgery.
Earlier this month he ruled himself out of the Masters at Augusta, saying that while he had begun hitting balls again, he would not be fully fit for the tournament.
“I’ve been hitting balls and training daily, but I’m not physically ready,” Woods said in a statement. “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... I’m absolutely making progress, and I’m really happy with how far I’ve come, but I still have no timetable to return to competitive golf.”
The Golf Channel last week reported Woods was eyeing a possible return at the May 5-8 Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte or The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on May 12-15.
Meanwhile, former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa has opted out of this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, joining a fast-growing list of elite players that also includes compatriot Louis Oosthuizen.
Schwartzel’s decision has been announced by team captain Gary Player who said it weakened the country’s chances of a medal in Brazil.
“I am sad and disappointed that several top players have withdrawn from the Olympic Games in Rio,” Player said in a statement.
“I was sorry to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have withdrawn their names from consideration.
“I would have given anything to play in the Olympics. South Africa had a great team, but now obviously, it will not be as good.” Former Open winner Oosthuizen, 33, pulled out last week citing family commitments and a taxing schedule.
No reason was given for the withdrawal of Schwartzel, who has worked his way back up to 20th in the world rankings.
Golf returns to the Olympics after a 112-year absence, but its inclusion has been questioned by Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser who criticised compatriot Adam Scott’s decision to skip the Rio Games.
Fiji’s former world No. 1 Vijay Singh has also opted out of the event.
