It's Official: Woods To Skip Memorial

Tiger Woods has decided not to play in next week's Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus. He had until 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday to enter, but his office notified the PGA Tour that he would not be participating.

A three-time winner of the event, the top-ranked Woods has not competed since a second-place finish at the Masters Tournament last month and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on April 15.

Although Woods has been pleased with his rehabilitation, he will not discuss it until next Tuesday during a press conference for the AT&T National, to be played July 3-6 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., where he is the tournament host.

Typically, the recovery period is 4-6 weeks. Woods is expected to play in the U.S. Open Championship, June 12-15 at Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego, CA. He has excelled on the South Course at Torrey, winning four-consecutive Buick Invitationals and six overall.

The 32-year-old Woods has made five appearances on the PGA Tour this year, winning his first three starts. He also has a second and a fifth-place finish, and leads the circuit in earnings with $4.4 million.

-- Mark Soltau