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    Tiger Woods: Golfer to miss the Masters

    By Matias Grez, CNN

    Updated 1631 GMT (0031 HKT) April 2, 2016

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    Tiger Woods says he is planning to return to action in October after missing over a year of competitive action. The 40-year-old has undergone multiple back surgeries over past year and has not competed since August 2015.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Tiger Woods says he is planning to return to action in October after missing over a year of competitive action. The 40-year-old has undergone multiple back surgeries over past year and has not competed since August 2015.
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    The 14-time major winner has a long history of injury problems. Here he has cream rubbed onto his back by caddy Steve Williams during the 2004 American Express Championship.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    The 14-time major winner has a long history of injury problems. Here he has cream rubbed onto his back by caddy Steve Williams during the 2004 American Express Championship.
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    Woods won the the U.S. Open in 2008 -- his last major victory to date. He missed tournament in July 2011, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/golf/06/07/golf.tiger.usopen.injury/index.html">citing knee and Achilles tendon injuries</a>.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods won the the U.S. Open in 2008 -- his last major victory to date. He missed tournament in July 2011, citing knee and Achilles tendon injuries.
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    In October 2010, Woods appears dejected after losing a match to Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in the Ryder Cup teams competition in Wales. Later that month he lost his No. 1 ranking to Westwood, a position he had held for 281 consecutive weeks. He had taken a break from golf earlier that year after reports of marital infidelities emerged in late 2009.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In October 2010, Woods appears dejected after losing a match to Lee Westwood and Luke Donald in the Ryder Cup teams competition in Wales. Later that month he lost his No. 1 ranking to Westwood, a position he had held for 281 consecutive weeks. He had taken a break from golf earlier that year after reports of marital infidelities emerged in late 2009.
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    Woods misses a putt at the Frys.com Open in October 2011. That month, he fell out of golf's top 50 for the first time in almost 15 years. Woods reportedly lost millions in endorsements after sponsors ended their ties with him in the wake of his sex scandal.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods misses a putt at the Frys.com Open in October 2011. That month, he fell out of golf's top 50 for the first time in almost 15 years. Woods reportedly lost millions in endorsements after sponsors ended their ties with him in the wake of his sex scandal.
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    Despite his problems, Woods remained a key attraction -- being invited to the 2011 Australian Open, where he finished third. That year he was the highest-paid American athlete on <a href="http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/earnings/fortunate-50-2011.htm" target="_blank">Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list</a>.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Despite his problems, Woods remained a key attraction -- being invited to the 2011 Australian Open, where he finished third. That year he was the highest-paid American athlete on Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list.
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    In July 2011, Woods dropped Williams, his caddy of 12 years. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/golf/07/20/golf.woods.caddie.williams/index.html">Woods said</a>.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In July 2011, Woods dropped Williams, his caddy of 12 years. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said.
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    After a nearly three-month break, Woods returned to golf at the Bridgestone Invitational in August 2011.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    After a nearly three-month break, Woods returned to golf at the Bridgestone Invitational in August 2011.
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    In August 2011, Woods<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/golf/08/12/golf.pga.woods.cut/index.html"> failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship</a> for the first time in his career. He has won the season's closing major on four occasions, most recently in 2007.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In August 2011, Woods failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship for the first time in his career. He has won the season's closing major on four occasions, most recently in 2007.
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    In October 2011, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/05/sport/golf/golf-tiger-woods-rolex/index.html">Woods landed Rolex as a sponsor </a>despite not having won a major tournament in nearly two years. "Rolex is convinced that Tiger Woods still has a long career ahead of him," the high-end watchmaker said. The following month he played for the U.S. in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In October 2011, Woods landed Rolex as a sponsor despite not having won a major tournament in nearly two years. "Rolex is convinced that Tiger Woods still has a long career ahead of him," the high-end watchmaker said. The following month he played for the U.S. in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
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    In December 2011, Woods earned his first win in two years at the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/04/sport/golf/california-tiger-woods/index.html">Chevron World Challenge</a>, a charity tournament that he hosts which does not count on the PGA Tour money list.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In December 2011, Woods earned his first win in two years at the Chevron World Challenge, a charity tournament that he hosts which does not count on the PGA Tour money list.
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    Woods lines up his putt at the Honda Classic in March 2012. <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/05/sport/golf/golf-mcilroy-augusta-woods">He shot a 62, his lowest final round as a professional</a>, but he tied for second in the PGA Tour event.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods lines up his putt at the Honda Classic in March 2012. He shot a 62, his lowest final round as a professional, but he tied for second in the PGA Tour event.
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    Woods signs autographs at the<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/25/sport/golf/golf-arnold-palmer-tiger/index.html"> Arnold Palmer Invitational</a> in March 2012. His win there marked his first PGA Tour victory since September 2009.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods signs autographs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2012. His win there marked his first PGA Tour victory since September 2009.
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    Woods drops the ball on the 15th fairway during the final round of the AT&T National in July 2012. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/sport/golf/golf-woods-congressional-nicklaus/index.html">He overtook Jack Nicklaus</a> for second place on the all-time PGA Tour victory list and now has 79 overall -- three behind Sam Snead's record.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods drops the ball on the 15th fairway during the final round of the AT&T National in July 2012. He overtook Jack Nicklaus for second place on the all-time PGA Tour victory list and now has 79 overall -- three behind Sam Snead's record.
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    In 2012, Woods became the first PGA Tour player to earn $100 million when he finished third at the Deutsche Bank Championship, taking home more than $500,000.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In 2012, Woods became the first PGA Tour player to earn $100 million when he finished third at the Deutsche Bank Championship, taking home more than $500,000.
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    Woods hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/17/news/economy/tiger-woods-pay/index.htm">He lost his title the previous year as the world's top-paid athlete</a>, dropping to third place on <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/fortunate50-2012/index.html">Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list</a>.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013. He lost his title the previous year as the world's top-paid athlete, dropping to third place on Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50" list.
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    Woods holds the trophy for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013, where he clinched his 75th PGA Tour title.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods holds the trophy for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January 2013, where he clinched his 75th PGA Tour title.
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    In March 2013, Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/18/tiger-woods-confirms-hes-dating-lindsey-vonn/">they were dating on Facebook</a>. In January that year, the champion skier had finalized her divorce from Thomas Vonn, after initializing proceedings in 2011. Woods split up with his wife, Elin Nordegren, in 2010 after admitting a series of infidelities. In May 2015, Woods and Vonn announced their breakup, with the golfer claiming he "hadn't slept" in the days following.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In March 2013, Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced they were dating on Facebook. In January that year, the champion skier had finalized her divorce from Thomas Vonn, after initializing proceedings in 2011. Woods split up with his wife, Elin Nordegren, in 2010 after admitting a series of infidelities. In May 2015, Woods and Vonn announced their breakup, with the golfer claiming he "hadn't slept" in the days following.
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    In 2013, Woods regained the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/25/sport/golf/golf-woods-world-number-one-again/index.html">No. 1 spot in world golf rankings</a> with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In 2013, Woods regained the No. 1 spot in world golf rankings with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
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    Woods winces in pain after striking a tree root with his club after a shot from the rough in the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament in April. He tied for 17th place.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods winces in pain after striking a tree root with his club after a shot from the rough in the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament in April. He tied for 17th place.
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    Woods' best result of an injury-hit 2015 was a tie for 10th at August's Wyndham Championship -- his last appearance this season before having back surgery.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods' best result of an injury-hit 2015 was a tie for 10th at August's Wyndham Championship -- his last appearance this season before having back surgery.
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    In July 2015, Woods missed the cut at the British Open for just the second time in his illustrious career.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    In July 2015, Woods missed the cut at the British Open for just the second time in his illustrious career.
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    Woods throws his club in disgust following a shot from the rough during the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June, when he missed the halfway cut after rounds of 80 and 76.
    Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows
    Woods throws his club in disgust following a shot from the rough during the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June, when he missed the halfway cut after rounds of 80 and 76.
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    Story highlights

    • Tiger Woods confirms he will miss the Masters
    • 40-year-old says he is 'not physcially ready' following third back operation
    • Masters gets underway Thursday

    (CNN)The wait for Tiger Woods' return to golf goes on.

    The 40-year-old, who hasn't played competitively since he tied for 10th at the Wyndham Championship in August, confirmed on his website that he will miss this year's Masters.
      "After assessing the present condition of my back, and consulting with my medical team, I've decided it's prudent to miss this year's Masters," the statement read.
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      How texts from Tiger Woods inspired Jason Day
      "I've been hitting balls and training daily, but I'm not physically ready. I've said all along that this time I need to be cautious and do what's best for my long-term health and career."
      Woods underwent a third back operation in October and has since claimed there is no timeframe for his return to the sport following the surgery.
      Read More
      The world No. 472 recently posted a short video on social media of himself hitting a golf ball in his home in an attempt to dispel rumors that he had suffered a further injury setback.
      But it appears the Masters -- which gets underway Thursday -- has come around too soon.
      "Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn't be the right decision," the statement continued. "I'm absolutely making progress, and I'm really happy with how far I've come, but I still have no timetable to return to competitive golf.
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      Tiger Woods stunned by 11-year-old's hole in one
      "I'd like to express my disappointment to Billy Payne, the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I won't be competing.
      It's the second time in three years that Woods -- a four-time winner of the Green Jacket at Augusta -- has missed the Masters, after withdrawing in 2014 due to a similar back problem.
        "It's a very important and special week to me, and it's upsetting to miss it," Woods said. "I do plan to attend the Champions Dinner and see a lot of old friends.
        "I'd like to thank the fans for their concern and support. The last few years have been difficult, but I have the best fans anywhere, and I want them to know that."