Tigers Woods will miss the Masters.

Upon hearing the news that one of golf’s greatest will not be playing in the first major of the year, one tends to think that he’s washed up and will never win a major again.

That thought is simply not true.

Woods, who is chasing Jack Nicklaus’s 18-major victory mark, doesn’t give up and will be back after his surgery, which will repair a pinched nerve in his back.

The last major title Woods won was in 2008 at the U.S. Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour. I’d argue that The Open is a more prestigious event, but that’s for another column, maybe in July?

In an online news article, Nicklaus said he hated to see Woods “robbed” of his playing time due to his injury.

Even though I’d be one to admit that I didn’t give much thought to Woods pulling out of the tournament because of the surgery, my fear is that I won’t be able to get to see him win another major.

Live in person at the 2005 Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland, I watched as Woods finished No. 17 and then proceeded to tee off at No. 18 on his way to another major victory.

My brothers were a little apathetic to Woods’ win, but I was amazed, secretly.

After his 2008 U.S. Open win, Woods’ injuries started to pile up. Then, he started to withdraw from tournaments.

These actions led many to believe that Woods was done from playing pro golf… forever.

I believe once he gets back healthy from surgery, we’ll see a whole new Tiger roaring down fairways.

I know that he’ll work hard and be stronger than ever once he makes his return, hopefully later this year in time for the rest of the major schedule.