Tiger Woods Won't Compete in Quicken Loans Tourney at Congressional Course

Bethesda, MD — His ongoing recovery from back surgery will keep Tiger Woods off the golf course when the June 23-26 Quicken Loans National tourney comes to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda.

Woods has not competed in a PGA event since August 2015, then underwent back procedures in September and October. At a media day last month to promote the Maryland tour stop, Woods gave no timeline for his return to golf.

"It's frustrating not being able to play Augusta, Bay Hill, Doral, places I've played really well," Woods said, reports SBNation. "Sitting still is how you get better; that's not in my nature."

Players committed to playing in the 2016 Quicken Loans National include past champion Bill Haas, defending amateur champion Bryson Dechambeau, Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh.

Woods serves as host of the tournament, which raises money for the Tiger Woods Foundation, a foundation that creates “programs [that] break the cycle of poverty through college-access opportunities for low-income students.” The educational programs create connections between schooling and a career, and help design a plan for college for these first-generation scholars.

The PGA Tour also honors members of the armed forces by offering complimentary tickets, food and other amenities to military families. Lockheed Martin is serving as the tour’s military services partner.

Tournament officials will distribute a total of 30,000 complimentary Lockheed Martin Military Pavilion tickets to military members in the area. Qualifying recipients include all U.S. Department of Defense personnel, including Coast Guard. 

Buy tickets for the tournament here.

Woods issued this statement on his recovery and the tournament:

"While I continue to work hard on getting healthy, I am not physically ready to play in this year's U.S. Open and the Quicken Loans National. I am making progress, but I'm not yet ready for tournament competition.

"I want to thank everyone for their continued support. The positive texts, emails and calls I have received have been incredible.

"I will be hosting and attending my foundation's tournament, the Quicken Loans National, at Congressional. It's the 10th year of our tournament, and we continue to support the community, the military and the programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation."