Nike golfer Tiger Woods has ruled himself out for the rest of the season, citing the need for additional surgery on his troublesome left knee.
The world number one secured his 14th Major title at the US Open on Monday, despite seeming to be in severe pain at several stages of the tournament.
Woods had hinted that he would miss next month''s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, but has now confirmed that he also be absent for the US PGA Championship in August and September''s Ryder Cup.
In a statement on his website, the 32-year-old explained: "It is clear that the right thing to do is listen to my doctors, follow though with this surgery and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."
BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter said that the apparent severity of Woods'' knee condition means that his US Open triumph will "become more remarkable by the day".
However, earlier this week Taylormade golfer Retief Goosen questioned whether Woods'' injury was as serious as he made out during the tournament at Torrey Pines. The South African said that Woods would have withdrawn from the event if his knee was genuinely causing him pain.
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