Tiger Woods pulls out of PGA Championship due to injury after worst round of event as golfing legend grimaced to finish last despite valiant efforts

Tiger Woods withdrew from the PGA Championship due to injury after the third round at Southern Hills.

The 46-year-old, who is still recovering from a near-fatal car crash in February 2021, had his highest run at the event on Saturday carding a 79.

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An inspiring Woods battled to make the one-shot cut on Friday, despite clear signs of pain, but desperately struggled in round three as temperatures plummeted.

This mirrored his display at the Masters in April, when the 15-time Major winner showed promising glimpses on the first two days, before shooting his worst run in Augusta with a 78 on day three.

Woods won the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in 2007, but retires this year in last place – with a par 12 and 21 shots ahead of Mito Pereira going into the final round.

A statement from PGA of America President Jim Richerson read: “Tiger Woods has informed us that he is retiring from the 2022 PGA Championship.

“We admire Tiger’s valiant efforts to compete here in Southern Hills and wish him the best as he continues to recover from his injuries.”

At times throughout the tournament, Woods looked very uncomfortable, and some expected him to retire after a tough end to his first-round 74 on Thursday.

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However, he raised hopes for a potential rankings boost with a gutsy round of 69 on Friday, making a cut that Masters champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler missed.

Fifteen months ago, it was feared that Woods could have his right leg amputated after a car accident that resulted in open fractures to his tibia and fibula, as well as serious foot and ankle injuries.

His decision to skip proceedings on Sunday casts doubt on his participation in the US Open in four weeks.

Woods has already committed to playing the 150th Open at St Andrews, the home of golf, in July – and his attention will now surely turn to Scotland.

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