While Tiger Woods’s participation in next week’s US Open still remains in doubt, the 14-time major champion has announced he has another project on the go.
Woods said in a statement on his website yesterday that he is writing a book about his historic victory in the 1997 Masters, which will be published by Grand Central Publishing next year.
The still untitled work, to be co-authored by Canadian golf writer Lorne Rubenstein, will include insights from the golfer not only on his spectacular 12-stroke victory at Augusta National but also on the two decades since then, the publishing firm said.
“Woods will open up about his relationship with father Earl Woods, dispel previous misconceptions and will candidly reveal many more stories that have never been told before,” according to a press release.
Added Woods: “The 1997 Masters was one of the most important tournaments in my life for many reasons. I think about the hug with my dad and all the events that went on that week.
“A lot of people know generally about that tournament, but this gives me a chance to tell in detail what happened on and off the course.”
Woods’ first book came out in 2001. Titled How I Play Golf, it was written with the editors of Golf Digest magazine. The 1997 Masters was the first of Woods’ 14 majors. His most recent was the 2008 US Open, and Woods hasn’t played a tournament since undergoing two separate surgical procedures late last year to alleviate back pain.
He said in May that he hoped to return to competition in June, but it’s unclear if he would make it back in time for the second major of the year, the US Open at Oakmont from June 16-19.

DeChambeau books Open spot, Donald in playoff
Rookie Bryson DeChambeau earned a spot in the US Open on Monday after coming through the final stage of qualifying but former world number one Luke Donald has to go through a playoff to qualify. The final 55 spots for the June 16-19 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, just outside of Pittsburgh, are up for grabs at 10 sectional sites across the country.
Donald finished in a six-way tie for ninth after rounds of 68 and 69, and will compete for one of five spots available in a sudden-death playoff in Powell, Ohio.
Most of the 103 players at the Wedgewood and Kinsale courses consisted of PGA Tour players, who competed at the nearby Memorial last week.
There were 13 spots available. The 22-year-old DeChambeau had gained a US Open exemption when he won last year’s US Amateur but forfeited that spot when he turned professional a week after the 2016 Masters.
DeChambeau (70-63) finished joint second in the Ohio sectional, one shot behind Carlos Ortiz (66-66).
Erik Compton, the 2014 US Open runner-up, Aaron Baddeley and Camilo Villegas were among those who failed to qualify. KJ Choi withdrew after an opening 71, as did Stuart Appleby after a 74.
Former PGA Championship winner David Toms (66-69) was one of 10 qualifiers in Memphis, Tennessee. Houston Open winner Jim Herman posted rounds 67 and 70 for a nine-under total to tie with 36-year-old American professional Rob Oppenheim, also with scores of 67 and 70, and finish top of the sectional qualifying in Summit, New Jersey.
Two-time US Open champion Lee Janzen (72-70) missed out on one of the six spots in New Jersey.
Players will return to the course in Jacksonville, Florida, for the play-off after play was suspended due to darkness. Vijay Singh is in the hunt for one of the qualifying spots.

Victorious McGirt jumps up world rankings to 44th
Journeyman William McGirt rocketed 58 spots up the golf world rankings after grinding out his first PGA Tour victory, as the top remained unchanged with Jason Day leading the pack. The 36-year-old McGirt surged up to 44th with his victory on Sunday in a sudden death playoff at the Memorial tournament, where world number three Rory McIlroy finished fourth. Australian Day was a disappointing 27th at Dublin, Ohio, where world number two Jordan Spieth was down in 57th.