WD Meaning in Golf : What It Means When a Player Withdraws In 2026

WD in golf stands for “Withdrawn.”
It means a golfer has officially withdrawn from a tournament after it has already begun, usually due to injury, illness, personal reasons, or exceptional circumstances.

WD in golf is one of those short scoreboard abbreviations that can confuse newer fans and even casual players. You’ll see it next to a player’s name during a tournament and wonder: Did they lose? Were they disqualified? Did something go wrong?

That simple definition hides a lot of nuance, though. In professional and amateur golf, WD carries specific rules, consequences, and implications depending on when and why it happens. This guide breaks it all down in plain, human language.

Why “WD” Matters in Golf

Golf tournaments can last four long days, sometimes more with weather delays. Players walk miles, swing hundreds of times, and compete under intense physical and mental pressure. When you see WD, it signals that something interrupted that journey.

Understanding WD helps you:

• Read scoreboards correctly
• Follow tournament drama more clearly
• Understand player decisions and health
• Make sense of betting, fantasy golf, or statistics

Whether you’re watching the PGA Tour, following the Masters, or tracking a local competition, WD is a term worth knowing.

What Does WD Mean in Golf (Full Explanation)

In golf, WD (Withdrawn) means a player has started the tournament but did not finish it.

Key point:
A golfer must have teed off for WD to apply.

If a player pulls out before play begins, a different term is used, which we’ll cover later.

What happens when a golfer withdraws?

Once a player withdraws:

• They stop playing immediately
• Their score no longer counts
• They are removed from contention
• Their name remains on the leaderboard marked as WD

This applies across most professional tours, including PGA, DP World Tour, LIV Golf, LPGA, and major championships.

Common Reasons Golfers Withdraw (WD)

Golfers don’t withdraw lightly. Here are the most common real-world reasons behind a WD.

Injury

This is the most frequent cause.

Examples include:

• Back spasms
• Wrist or hand injuries
• Knee or ankle pain
• Muscle strains
• Old injuries flaring up

Golf may look gentle, but it’s physically demanding, especially at elite levels.

Illness

Players sometimes withdraw due to:

• Flu
• Food poisoning
• Viral infections
• Dehydration
• Heat exhaustion

Playing sick can worsen health and performance, so withdrawal is often the smarter call.

Personal or Family Emergency

Occasionally, withdrawals are due to serious off-course reasons, such as:

• Family emergencies
• Personal matters
• Travel issues involving loved ones

These details are often kept private.

Course or Weather-Related Issues

In rare cases:

• Dangerous weather conditions
• Course damage
• Unplayable conditions affecting a specific player

While tournaments usually pause entirely, individual withdrawals can still occur.

When Can a Player Be Marked WD?

Timing matters a lot in golf rules.

Before the tournament starts

If a player pulls out before teeing off, they are usually marked as DNS (Did Not Start), not WD.

During the tournament

A player becomes WD if they withdraw:

• During a round
• Between rounds
• After completing one or more holes

This distinction affects statistics, prize money, and sometimes future eligibility.

WD vs Other Golf Abbreviations (Comparison Table)

This is where many people get confused. WD is not the only status you’ll see on a leaderboard.

Golf Tournament Status Comparison Table

Abbreviation	Meaning	When It Happens	Counts as Played?
WD	Withdrawn	After starting the tournament	Yes
DNS	Did Not Start	Before first tee shot	No
DQ	Disqualified	Rules violation	Yes
CUT	Missed the Cut	After halfway point	Yes
MC	Missed Cut	Same as CUT	Yes

This table alone clears up most confusion fans have when watching live golf coverage.

Examples of WD in Golf (With Context and Tone)

Let’s look at how WD appears in real situations.

Neutral Example

“Rory McIlroy (WD) withdrew during Round 2 due to a back injury.”

This is purely informational and common in sports reporting.

Friendly Fan Conversation

“Ah man, Tiger Woods went WD again. Hope he’s okay 😕”

Here, WD is used casually with empathy.

Professional Commentary

“After completing 11 holes, the player withdrew citing illness and was officially listed as WD.”

Formal and factual, often heard on broadcasts.

Social Media Style

“Not the result anyone wanted. WD today but health comes first 💪”

Light tone with emojis, common on player accounts.

Does WD Affect Rankings, Money, or Stats?

Yes, and this is where it gets important.

World Rankings

A WD can:

• Reduce ranking points earned
• Sometimes count as a poor finish
• Impact qualification for future events

The effect depends on the tour and event rules.

Prize Money

Generally:

• Players who WD do not earn prize money
• Exceptions may apply in limited circumstances

Statistics and Records

Withdrawals:

• Count as starts
• Do not count as finishes
• Can affect streaks like “cuts made”

This is why players sometimes push through pain if they’re close to making the cut.

WD in Amateur and Club Golf

WD isn’t just for professionals.

In amateur tournaments:

• WD means the player started but didn’t finish
• Scores may be marked incomplete
• Future eligibility can depend on event rules

At club level, WD is often used more casually, but the meaning stays the same.

Alternate Meanings of WD (Briefly Explained)

Outside golf, WD can mean other things, so context matters.

Common Non-Golf Meanings

Context	WD Meaning
Finance	Withdrawal
Medical	Well-developed
Internet slang	What’s Doing?
Technical	Western Digital

In golf, however, WD almost always means Withdrawn.

Polite and Professional Alternatives to Saying “WD”

When writing or speaking professionally, you might want softer wording.

Professional Alternatives

• Withdrawn from the tournament
• Stepped away due to injury
• Did not complete the round
• Left the competition early

Media-Friendly Phrasing

“Due to health concerns, the player was unable to continue.”

These alternatives add empathy and clarity, especially in formal settings.

Labeled Example Table: WD Scenarios in Golf

Common WD Scenarios Explained

Scenario	Result	Leaderboard Mark
Player injures wrist mid-round	Stops playing	WD
Player sick after Round 1	Does not start Round 2	WD
Player withdraws before tee time	Never starts	DNS
Player breaks a rule	Removed from event	DQ

Why Golf Fans Pay Attention to WD

WD can signal:

• Injury concerns before major tournaments
• Long-term health issues
• Changes in form or scheduling strategy

For fantasy golf players and bettors, WD is especially critical since it can void picks or affect payouts.

FAQs

What does WD mean on a golf leaderboard?
WD means the golfer withdrew after starting the tournament and did not complete it.

Is WD the same as being disqualified in golf?
No. WD is voluntary withdrawal, while disqualification happens due to rule violations.

Do golfers get paid if they WD?
Usually no. Withdrawn players typically do not earn prize money.

Can a golfer withdraw between rounds and still be WD?
Yes. Even if they finish a round, withdrawing before the next one still results in WD.

Is WD bad for a golfer’s career?
Occasional WD is normal. Frequent withdrawals may raise concerns about health or fitness.

What’s the difference between WD and DNS in golf?
WD means the player started. DNS means they never teed off.

Can a golfer return after WD?
No. Once withdrawn, they cannot re-enter the same tournament.

Why do commentators mention WD so often?
Because withdrawals impact the field, rankings, and tournament storyline.

Conclusion:

WD in golf simply means Withdrawn, but it carries weight beyond the abbreviation.

Remember these essentials:

• WD applies only after play has started
• Most withdrawals are due to injury or illness
• WD is different from DNS and DQ
• It affects rankings, stats, and prize money
• Seeing WD doesn’t mean failure, often it means smart self-care

Next time you spot WD on a leaderboard, you’ll know exactly what happened and why it matters.