Another flair up of back spasms has forced Tiger Woods to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill this week, and has but his participation in the Masters, which is just three weeks away, in doubt. Woods is an eight-time winner at Bay Hill, and won the Arnold Palmer in each of the last two years, but the pain is too much for him to try and defend the title.
“I personally called Arnold today to tell him that, sadly, I won’t be able to play in his tournament this year,” Woods said on his website.
“I would like to express my regrets to the Orlando fans, the volunteers, the tournament staff and the sponsors for having to miss the event. Unfortunately, my back spasms and the pain haven’t subsided.”
Back pain has been a persistent problem lately for the number one ranked player in the world. Three weeks ago, he had to withdraw from the Honda classic after just 13 holes due to pain and spasms in his lower back. Two weeks ago at Doral, he shot a 78 on Sunday, and did not make a single birdie in a round for the first time in his pro career, after the spasms flared up again. It could be another first if Tiger Woods skips the Masters, the only major he has never missed in his pro career.
“It’s too early to know about the Masters, and I will continue to be evaluable and work closely with my doctors,” Woods said. “I feel badly that I won’t be able to play in this great tournament this week.”
This is the second time Woods has missed the tournament at Bay Hill in his professional career. The first was in 2011 when he took a sabbatical following his well publicized marital issues.
“I am certainly sorry that Tiger is not able to play,” Palmer said. “Quite obviously, we will miss having him here this week. He called me to tell me that his back was still giving him a lot of trouble and he didn’t feel he should play. I told him I understood and wished him well.”
Woods first reported issues with back pain go back to the Barclays in 2012 when he reported twinges in his back. He also said that he experienced pain due to a “soft bed” at the PGA Championship last year, and a re-occurence of pain at the 2013 Barclays which he said was unrelated at the time.
Given the torque that Woods puts on his back each team he swings the club, it is easy to see where a recurring back injury could lead to big problems in his chase of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major victories.
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