Tiger Woods Takes Golf Break; Mysterious Injury The Culprit?

Dissatisfied with his performance in recent tournaments, golf star Tiger Woods said he will be out indefinitely and will come back only when he has regained his skills in the sport.

The golfer, according to ESPN, made a "career-worst" 82 which cost him the chance to play in the Phoenix Open.

The tightness in his back prompted Woods to perform poorly at Torrey Pines then withdraw after 11 holes.

But the golfer clarified, through his website, that his recent injury is not related to the back surgery he underwent last spring. Physical therapy is helping him get back on track.

"Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me. My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back," he told ESPN.

Woods expressed his serious intention to join Honda Classic slated on Feb. 26 but he will not pursue if he thinks he is still not ready.

His agent Mark Steinberg told ESPN that Woods has been receiving treatment for his back pain and that the discomfort has lessened. "They said it's not surgery related and that was a huge relief. I don't know what you call it but they're saying it wasn't related to the surgery and he didn't even need to go see a doctor," Steinberg added.

A CBS Sports report speculated that Woods' return may take time, but he will definitely prepare for a big comeback.

"Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back. I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game," the golfer was quoted by CBS Sports as saying.

The same report added that Woods would likely miss the following tournaments: Honda Classic which is two weeks from now, Cadillac Championship and Valspar Championship. He might come back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.

"It's a tournament he's won eight times at a course he clearly loves. Since he will not go into the Masters cold, the Arnold Palmer Invitational is certainly the best bet for when we'll see Woods again," CBS Sports explained.

Hopefully, Woods' hiatus will give him enough time to rest and regain his enthusiasm in playing golf. He is surely hoping for the same as he has self-declared that he needed to take a break because his game has been off lately.