Woods to miss 2014 US Open to recover from back surgery

American golf ace Tiger Woods has reportedly withdrawn from the upcoming US Open tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina in order to recover from his back surgery.

The 14-time Major champion, who has not played since the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March, missed the Masters in April for the first time in his professional career after undergoing surgery for a pinched nerve in his back.

According to the BBC, Woods, who won the 2008 US Open while playing with a broken leg, said that he would not able to compete in this year's US Open as he is still not able to play competitive golf physically, although he added that he remains very optimistic about this year and his future.

Woods, who also won the US Open in 2000 and 2002, apologised to the USGA leadership, the volunteers and the fans for his withdrawal from the event.

The 12-15 June US Open will be the sixth major that Woods has missed through injury after the 2008 Open and PGA Championships and the 2011 US Open and Open events.

World number three Woods, who lost his number one ranking to Australian Adam Scott while injured, has not won a major for six years as he chases Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles, the report added.