Scottsdale, Az., (Mar. 20, 2006) – Ryan Moore, the 2004 U.S. Amateur champion who earned his PGA Tour privileges via sponsors’ exemptions in just 10 events last season, the first to do so since Tiger Woods in 1996, is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a fractured hook of hamate in his left hand on Monday.
Moore first felt pain last summer and on doctor’s counsel took several weeks off to rest his hand. The pain persisted upon his return to competition and since then several examinations, including X-rays, CT Scans and MRIs failed to reveal the extent of the injury. After another four-week layoff to rest it this season, Moore returned to play at the Honda Classic. Again the pain persisted and last week at the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard, Mark O’Meara sent Moore to his own hand specialist, Dr. Jerry Rubin, who discovered the cause of Moore’s ongoing pain. Rubin will conduct the operation in Orlando.
Moore’s recovery time is expected to be six to eight weeks. He will not compete in his first Players Championship this week or the Masters, to which he has an invitation after sharing 13th place in 2005. As a past U.S. Amateur champion he is exempt from U.S. Open local qualifying this summer but Moore would have to go through sectional qualifying just after being cleared by doctors to resume playing.
Officials for the Masters and the USGA have been notified of Moore’s condition and timetable. His management and family are hopeful that the governing committees will consider deferring his Masters invitation to 2007 and grant a special exemption to the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, where Moore won the 2004 U.S. Amateur title.
Ryan is very disappointed to forego some of his favorite tournaments of the year, but has determined that this is the best course of action for his career at this time.
Contact:
T.R. Reinman
619-741-7009 office
619-889-097 cell
