For the first time in 20 years, Tiger Woods will not be in Augusta to play the Masters.

Tiger opted for surgery for his ailing back and now will miss the Masters.

On his website, Tiger made his statement.

"After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done," Woods said in the statement.

"I'd like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters. It's a week that's very special to me. It also looks like I'll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy."

"It's tough right now, but I'm absolutely optimistic about the future," Woods said in the statement. "There are a couple [of] records by two outstanding individuals and players that I hope one day to break. As I've said many times, Sam (Snead) and Jack (Nicklaus) reached their milestones over an entire career. I plan to have a lot of years left in mine."

Furthermore, it appears through the statement that Woods will try to make a comeback later this summer, but will miss the Masters for the first time in his career.

Personally, I always contend that Tiger will eventually break Jack Nicklaus's record of all time majors but with his recent track record and inability to stay away from injuries, I am becoming more and skeptical of my prediction.

This Masters vacancy for Tiger is the latest in the string of what some would call bad luck for one of the greatest golfers of all time and only time will tell if he can get back on course.

** YOU CAN EMAIL JEFF THURN AT JT@ESPN991.COM & FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @JTESPN991

 

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