Tiger Woods Pulls Out Of Napa Safeway Open: 'My Game Is Vulnerable'

NAPA (CBS13) — Tiger Woods has announced he is pushing his return back and will not compete in the Safeway Open in Napa.

Woods had been planning a return at this week's event for his first professional golf since 2015.

However, he said he doesn't feel his game is where it needs to be.

After a lot of soul searching and honest reflection, I know that I am not yet ready to play on the PGA TOUR or compete in Turkey. My health is good, and I feel strong, but my game is vulnerable and not where it needs to be.

When I announced last week I was going to Safeway, I had every intention of playing, or I wouldn't have committed. I spent a week with the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, an honor and experience that inspired me even more to play. I practiced the last several days in California, but after a lot of hours, I knew I wasn't ready to compete against the best golfers in the world. I will continue to work hard, and plan to play at my foundation's event, the Hero World Challenge, in Albany.

I would like to apologize and send my regrets to Safeway, the Turkish Airlines Open, the fans in California and Turkey and those that had hoped to watch me compete on TV. This isn't what I wanted to happen, but I will continue to strive to be able to play tournament golf. I'm close, and I won't stop until I get there.

Woods also withdrew from the Turkish Airlines Open.