PGA TOUR

Tiger Woods will be unable to defend his title at next week’s AT&T National and will be out until the British Open due to a left elbow strain.

“I was examined after I returned home from the U.S. Open, and the doctors determined I have a left elbow strain,” Woods said on his website.

Woods injured the elbow en route to winning THE PLAYERS Championship, his first victory at TPC Sawgrass since 2001 and his fifth of the season. Though Woods wasn’t specific about when he injured the elbow, it’s possible he could have in the final round there when hitting from the rough on the 14th hole, where he took a drop after hitting into the water off the tee.

In his next start, he had his worst career finish in the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, tying for 65th. He shot 79 in the third round at Muirfield, also his highest career score in the event.

“I have been advised to take a few weeks off, rest and undergo treatment,” Woods said. “I’ll be ready to go for the British Open, and I’m looking forward to playing at Muirfield.

“I would like to extend my regrets to AT&T, our sponsors and the fans in the Washington, D.C., area. The AT&T National means a lot to me and my foundation. It’s especially difficult not defending at my own tournament. It’s going to be a great event, and I look forward to being there to provide my support.”

Woods aggravated the injury when hitting out of the rough in the opening round at last week’s U.S. Open at Merion, where he finished at 13-over 293 for his highest score in 16 professional starts in the tournament