"My body needs time to get stronger for the majors," said the 46-year-old American, winner of fifteen Grand Slams, including three US Opens.

Woods made his return to the Masters in April, thirteen months after the traffic accident that nearly cost him his right leg.

He had managed to pass the "cut" to take the 47th place finish.

But in the next Major, the PGA Championship, last month, he dropped out in the third round due to pain.

It was only the second time in his career that he had retired from a Grand Slam.

The golfer had suffered multiple fractures in his car accident in February 2021 near Los Angeles.

The surgeons had placed a metal rod in his tibia and screws to consolidate the bones of his foot and ankle.

The American still intends to play the British Open in St Andrews (Scotland) from July 14.

"I'm motivated to come back soon," he wrote on Twitter.

He plans to "be ready to play in Ireland" at the JP McManus Pro-am the week before the British Open.

Woods' last Grand Slam victory was three years ago at the Masters.

© 2022 AFP