What Does WD Mean in Golf? Explained

By Sarah Miller · June 29, 2047

In golf, WD stands for Withdrawn or Withdrawal, indicating a player has退出比赛 before completion due to injury, illness, personal reasons, or other circumstances. Unlike disqualification (DQ), a WD is typically neutral and does not carry penalties under the rules of golf.

What Does WD Mean in Golf?

When you see "WD" next to a golfer's name on a leaderboard, it means the player has officially withdrawn from the tournament. This notation is used across major tours including the PGA Tour, European Tour, and LPGA. A withdrawal differs from disqualification—players who WD are not penalized by the rules of golf and may return to compete in future events without sanction.

Common Reasons for a WD in Golf

Injury or physical discomfort: Lower back pain, wrist injuries, or fatigue during multi-day events.
Illness: Viral infections, flu-like symptoms, or dehydration.

Personal or family emergencies:

Mental health concerns: Increasingly recognized reason, as seen with athletes like Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods.
Strategic decisions: In team events or when managing schedule load ahead of majors.

WD vs DQ: Understanding the Difference

A withdrawal (WD) is voluntary and generally carries no penalty. In contrast, a disqualification (DQ) results from rule violations such as signing an incorrect scorecard or repeated misconduct. Players who withdraw retain eligibility for official statistics and FedEx Cup points if they started the event, whereas DQ often nullifies those benefits.

Player	Tournament	Year	Reason for WD	Rounds Completed
Tiger Woods	The Masters	2020	Lower back injury	2
Bryson DeChambeau	U.S. Open	2023	Hand injury	3
Brooke Henderson	The Evian Championship	2022	COVID-19 diagnosis	1
Dustin Johnson	Pebble Beach Pro-Am	2021	Back injury	2
Nelly Korda	Women’s British Open	2024	Shoulder strain	3

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that most withdrawals occur after at least one full round, with injuries being the leading cause. Notably, elite players often withdraw mid-tournament to prevent long-term damage, highlighting the physical demands of professional golf.

Impact of WD on Rankings and Points

Withdrawing from a tournament can affect a player’s world ranking, FedEx Cup standings, or Race to Costa del Sol points. However, most tours have policies allowing limited WDs without point deductions, especially for verified medical reasons. For example, the PGA Tour permits players to withdraw due to injury without losing projected FedEx Cup points if reported before tee time.

Reporting and Procedure for WD

Players must inform tournament officials and their caddie/team.
On-course WDs require notification to a rules official.
In stroke play, the player must complete the current hole before withdrawing unless granted permission.
Scorecards are still submitted for any completed holes.

Frequently Asked Questions About WD in Golf

Does a WD count as a missed cut in golf?

No, a withdrawal does not count as a missed cut. Missed cuts occur when a player fails to finish within the top 65 players (and ties) after 36 holes. A WD is recorded separately and reflects an incomplete attempt.

Can a golfer re-enter a tournament after a WD?

No, once a player withdraws, they cannot re-enter the same tournament. They must wait for the next scheduled event to compete again.

Is there a penalty for WD in golf?

There is no rule-based penalty for withdrawing. However, players may lose eligibility for performance bonuses, sponsor exemptions, or ranking points depending on tour-specific regulations.

How is WD different from MC or DQ?

WD means withdrawal (voluntary exit), MC means missed cut (failed to qualify for weekend play), and DQ means disqualification (penalty for rule violation). Each status affects records differently.