Tiger Woods announced on Friday that he would not be participating in the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational, skipping the tournament he won eight times during his career.

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Woods announced the decision on his website, proclaiming: "I've put in a lot of time and work on my game and I'm making strides, but like I've said, I won't return to the PGA Tour until my game is tournament ready and I can compete at the highest level."

Fortunately for the former world No. 1, at least one person is in agreement. Not only did Notah Begay bring swing consultant Chris Como into the picture, he also vehemently defended his longtime friend.

"I spent quite a bit of time the last couple of weeks down at Tiger's house, trying to be a good running mate and going through workouts and practicing with him,'' Begay told the Golf Channel (via ESPN). "I can attest to the fact that things are improving and that he is putting in some solid work days. It is just not at the status that he wants it."

"Sometimes it is difficult when you want to get out there, and your heart tells you that you want to be playing competitive golf because you want to see your friends and he's won so many of these events," he added. "At the end of the day, if his game isn't going to hold up from tee to green and around the greens—especially with the question marks around his short game—I think it is a good decision to hold off until he is 100 percent."

Woods also announced he expects to be ready for the 2015 Masters at Augusta National in April.