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TSN Senior Reporter

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For the third time in four years, Tiger Woods won’t play in the Masters.

That, in itself, is not exactly shocking news. Since pulling out of the Dubai Desert Classic in February, Woods hasn’t been seen doing anything more strenuous than signing books.

The move is yet another set-back for the golfer who left the Middle East tournament in February with what was cited as a back spasm. At the time, it seemed as though it was a small bump on his road back. But with this announcement, it looks to be more serious than first thought and there’s no timetable for his return.

The four-time Masters champ released the news via his web site, saying he tried to prepare in hopes of teeing it up.

“I did about everything I could to play,” the post said, “but my back rehabilitation didn't allow me the time to get tournament ready,”

At this point, it isn’t known if “everything I could” included hitting balls or even chipping or putting with any seriousness. Woods hadn’t been seen at any of his regular golfing spots in Florida although he does have a significant practice area at his home where he could hit balls in private. But he reportedly was only swinging with intent for a week, which isn't long enough to get a game ready for a major championship. 

At the only public viewing as of late, when he appeared on Good Morning America a week ago to promote his new book on the 20th anniversary of his first Masters title, he appeared to move with ease and didn’t seem to be labouring as he did when he was seen in Dubai. He even won a putting contest against host Michael Strahan, which may end up being his only title for a while. That boosted thoughts that he might try to tee it up at the year’s first major.

At 41, Woods has made just 19 starts on the PGA Tour since the beginning of the 2014 season. Prior to this latest comeback, which was limited to four rounds at the Hero World Challenge in December and two rounds at the Farmers Insurance Open, he’d been absent for 15 months after undergoing two back surgeries.

Woods will be at Augusta National next week, primarily to dine with the other past champs. Since he last slipped on the winner’s blazer in 2005, the dinner table at the Tuesday affair has added nine new place settings.

He’s also scheduled to make an appearance at the brand spanking new media centre where he’ll no doubt be faced with a barrage of questions, such as: “How did you re-injure your back?” or “When did you decide to withdraw?” and even “What happened to your hair?” (His locks were noticeably thinner when he was on GMA).

Regardless of your opinion of Tiger, the Masters is just better when he’s in it. In the last 20 years, no one has excited the crowds or pulled off more amazing shots than Woods has. While there are lots of great players who will still tee it up this year, without Woods in the field, the Masters will be missing something.