Tiger Woods To Miss 2014 Masters After Undergoing Back Surgery, His First Absence From Major Championship Since 1994

Despite indicating last month that he would work tirelessly in order to be ready for the 2014 Masters tournament, World No. 1 Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that ongoing back problems will force him to miss an event he’s won four times over the course of his 19-year professional career. After undergoing surgery this week to repair a pinched nerve that has been giving him severe problems for months, the 38-year-old California native said that even though the news comes as a disappointment to many -- including himself -- he still believes he has many years of solid golf ahead of him.

“After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this procedure done," Woods said on his website. “I'd like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters. It's a week that's very special to me. It also looks like I'll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy."

With the announcement, Woods is now slated to miss the PGA Tour’s first major championship of the season for the first time since 1994. Suffering back spasms that became a true issue last fall, Woods -- who has won 14 major titles and 79 PGA Tour events throughout his career -- is frustrated with the decision but knows trusting in the words of his doctors will be the best thing moving forward. Still in the hunt to reach Jack Nicklaus’ mark of 18 career major titles, the current World No. 1 knows he’s doing the right thing, even if it is eating him up inside.

“This is frustrating, but it's something my doctors advised me to do for my immediate and long-term health,” he said. “It's tough right now, but I'm absolutely optimistic about the future," Woods said. "There are a couple of records by two outstanding individuals and players that I hope one day to break. As I've said many times, Sam and Jack reached their milestones over an entire career. I plan to have a lot of years left in mine.”

The 2014 Masters Golf Tournament gets underway on Thursday, April 10 from the famed Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Australian Adam Scott -- who became the first Aussie to win the Green Jacket -- will enter the field as defending champion alongside past winners Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera and Bubba Watson among others.