Tiger: 'No way' I could have competed at U.S. Open

Tiger Woods has shed some light on his absence at the U.S. Open last month.

The 15-time major champion said he was in no condition to play at The Country Club and didn't want to risk missing next week's Open Championship at his beloved St. Andrews.

"The plan was to play the U.S. Open, but physically I was not able to do that. There was no way physically I could have done that," Woods said Tuesday during his press conference at the J.P. McManus Pro-Am in Ireland.

"I had some issues with my leg, and it would have put this tournament in jeopardy, and there's no reason to do that. This is a pretty historic Open that we're going to be playing. I'm lucky enough to be part of the past champions that have won there, and (I) want to play there again. I don't know when they're ever going to back while I'm still able to play at a high level."

Woods won The Open at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005 and has often referred to The Home of Golf as his favorite course. His appearance this week at Adare Manor is his first since he withdrew from the PGA Championship in May.

Tiger said he's conserving energy by using a cart at the pro-am but will be ready to go for the season's last major.

"I've gotten a lot stronger since the PGA (Championship), that's for sure," Woods said. Been able to put in a lot more reps, which has been great."

Woods has only played in two competitive events since he nearly lost his leg in a car accident in February 2021. He finished 47th at this year's Masters and withdrew from the PGA Championship before the final round.