Back in April, when the problems described in pine needles along the 17th Fairway of the website Augusta National, Tiger Woods, he’d merely “irritated” his left knee and left Achilles tendon.

“Doctors have again advised rest, cold-water therapy and soft tissue treatment,” a news release stated.

No big deal had an impact.

A big problem, it turns out.

Woods announced Tuesday he will skip this month’s British Open, a decision which is not surprising to anyone in golf. He has not played since he withdrew during the first round of the Players Championship in early May, most notably sitting out two major championships that he always used to set his year and his career.

“Doctors have again advised rest, cold-water therapy and soft tissue treatment,” a news release stated.

He might as well announce he’s taking the rest of the year off because, at this stage, the return would be more interesting than the slow drip of announcements of tournaments jumped. It focuses on the complete recovery said - instead of rushing back - the only positive news here for fans of golf.