“Let’s go.” We can’t” “Why not?” “We’re waiting for Godot.”

In Samuel Beckett’s famous play ‘Waiting for Godot’, Vladimir and Estragon wait endlessly in vain for the arrival of someone named Godot, who becomes the cause of and solution to all their problems in his absence.

Tiger Woods’ decision to withdraw from the Safeway Open leaves golf in this state of paralysis. It’s now 14 months since the American last teed it up in a competitive event and while he ‘hopes’ to come back in December, there are no guarantees there either.

What’s likely is that a self-described ‘vulnerable’ Tiger Woods did not fancy getting humiliated in front of massive crowds (25,000 extra tickets sold) and the increased media attention that playing with NBA star Steph Curry and old-time rival Phil Mickelson would have brought.

This amount of attention was never ideal for the rusty 14-time major-winner turned World No 786-ranked golfer but will there ever be a time to come back without this level of attention? If Tiger fears the chipping yips, the only way to know if they will show up in competition is to play competitive golf.