Golf round-up: Tiger Woods out of action until British Open

World's top-ranked golfer diagnosed with a left elbow strain and will take a break until next month's major tournament.

Tiger Woods aggravated his elbow pain at the US Open.

Tiger Woods has been diagnosed with a left elbow strain that will keep him out of competition until next month's British Open at Muirfield, the world No 1 said on Wednesday.

Woods had been suffering minor discomfort before last week's US Open at Merion, where he aggravated the problem and was seen wincing and shaking his left arm on several occasions.

"I was examined after I returned home from the US Open, and the doctors determined I have a left elbow strain," the American said in a statement on his website. "I have been advised to take a few weeks off, rest and undergo treatment. I'll be ready to go for the British Open and I'm looking forward to playing at Muirfield."

The 14-time major champion was a big favourite to win the US Open but poor putting and iron play left him 12 shots behind winner Justin Rose.

Woods had been scheduled to play in the June 27-30 AT&T National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where he triumphed last year to move past Jack Nicklaus into second place on the all-time PGA Tour winners' list.

The July 18-21 British Open at Muirfield in Scotland is the third of golf's four annual major championships.

Ryde Cup key to Justin Rose breakthrough

Meanwhile, Rose believes his Ryder Cup experience toughened him up enough to be able to make his major breakthrough.

The 32 year old felt his two outings in the biennial Europe versus United States battle, in 2008 and particularly 2012, helped him learn how to putt under pressure.

But if he had to pick the turning point in his career he would point to three years ago, when he made his breakthrough on the PGA Tour with his first two wins, at the Memorial Tournament and a month later at the AT&T National.

"2010 was a turning point in my career," he said. "I had won tournaments around the world but not until I won on the PGA Tour did I start to develop that depth of confidence.

"Winning the Memorial was fantastic to get that monkey off my back. I won that from the chasing pack, then I came to Travelers [where he plays this week] and let a lead slip and then went to AT&T and built a big lead and closed it out – but only just.

"That is where I have developed more of the confidence and ability to get me to this point.

"Last September, with the Ryder Cup and World Golf Final in Turkey – I played [Lee] Westwood, Tiger and managed to come out on top in a very good field and made putts where I really needed to.

"Around that time I stated to think 'I could do this'."

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