Tiger Woods axed from EA Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour golf video game ahead of The Open 2015

Despite long being the game's star, Woods doesn't even appear in the new version

Tiger took a break earlier this year to work on his swing (Getty Images)

Tiger Woods does not appear as a playable character in EA Sports' flagship golf video game, despite being its cover star for 16 years.

'Rory McIlroy PGA Tour', which was launched at St Andrews on Thursday ahead of the Open Championship, includes golfers from the world's top 100.

Woods is currently ranked 241st in the world and therefore failed to 'make the cut' to be included in the character roster.

EA Sports also reportedly cited 'political reasons' for excluding their former main man.

Woods first appeared on the cover of the 'PGA Tour' series in 1998 and remained there until 2014.

The American followed up the news of his removal from the game with a four-over-par 76 on day one at St Andrews, despite claiming he was close to regaining some form before the start of the tournament.

Woods now faces a struggle if he is to avoid missing the cut for only the second time in 19 Open appearances.