Friday 3 February 2017 11:49, UK
Rich Beem reflects on Tiger Woods’ withdrawal from the Dubai Desert Classic and analyses the impact it could have on the former world No 1’s future.
Like all of the fans here in Dubai, I'm disappointed by Tiger Woods' withdrawal as we want to see the greatest player of our generation come back to the heights he has reached.
Unfortunately we haven't been able to see that, especially this week where he just hasn't looked comfortable.
"If you look at the worst-case scenario, he (Tiger Woods) could be done for who knows how long."
He definitely looked physically in discomfort during his first round, just as he had done during his practice round, and was walking a little gingerly at times.
Now we have no idea what's in store for him next. He's had his battles in the last couple of years and this is another major setback for him.
It raised a lot of eyebrows with how slowly he got out of the opening bunker during his first round. It's not like he sprang out and it was telling then that something wasn't quite right.
What also surprised me about Tiger on Thursday was his putting. I said at the top of Thursday's show how well I thought he was rolling the golf ball and was burning the edges in the Pro-Am.
He then came out in the first round and always came up short, never carried enough pace. It was shocking to say the least to watch him go around this golf course with a couple of good looks for birdie and not to go and find one.
I thought he would come out to the Desert earlier than he did, even in a private setting, just to acclimatise to the time difference and give his body a couple of days' rest after Torrey Pines.
He has been sitting at home for the last 18 months and he has been itching to get out here. We knew he was going to make mistakes but this is a major setback - both mentally and physically.
If you look at the worst-case scenario, he could be done for who knows how long.
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