I think a good rest then one more shot at it and see where that goes, before calling it quits.
LOL @ "good rest"
His body is shot to hell. If anything, getting off the competitive treadmill, no matter what length of time, will only yield even WORSE results. At his age, to halt the momentum is competitive suicide. Not that he's going to do anything but sink in the placings, anyway.
As was said, almost everyone agrees: Branch's body is deteriorating, rapidly. The man looks atrocious.
Everything's bleeding into everything ... no muscular fullness and "freshness" ... lines beyond destroyed ... tired, worn, clearly injured/torn ...
Game's over. The gift placings of the past few years will very soon stop.