Photo for Headline Surfer® / ORLANDO -- The world's No. 1 ranked golfer won't defend his championship when play begins Thursday in Orlando’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
That's because Tiger Woods withdrew Tuesday citing continued back spasms.
Woods has previously won the Arnold Palmer Invitational a record eight times, but there won't be a ninth this time around.
"I personally called Arnold today to tell him that, sadly, I won't be able to play in his tournament this year," Woods wrote 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."
"I personally called Arnold today to tell him that, sadly, I won't be able to play in his tournament this year," Woods wrote 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."
And those back spasms could put him in jeopardy of missing the Masters, which starts April 10 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.
As for his readiness for the Masters, Woods, said, "It's too early,"
Woods added of the upcoming majors tourney and the Orlando invitational he's already pulled out of: "I will continue to be evaluated and work closely with my doctors. I feel badly that I won't be able to play in this great tournament this week."
Perhaps at 38, his body is starting to break down. He's been dealing with nagging injuries the latter half decade, but the back is the most difficult to overcome because of his powerful swing with the strain on his back.
There have been media reports that Woods blamed it on a soft mattress, which has led to jokes about his past marital indiscretions.
There have been media reports that Woods blamed it on a soft mattress, which has led to jokes about his past marital indiscretions.
The lingering back spasms couldn't come at a worst time for Woods, who is seeking his 15th major championship.
Back spasms forced him to withdraw from the final round of the Honda Classic. And he struggled during the WGC-Cadillac Championship, withdrawing March 9, while tied for 25th going into the final round.
Had Woods not withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he would have played the first two rounds alongside Graeme McDowell and Harris English.
Brice Garnett has taken Woods' place in teeing off 1:08 p.m. with McDowell and English on the front nine at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando. They will return 8:23 a.m. Friday on the back nine.
At stake is $1.116 million for the winner and $6.2 million overall in prize money.
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Tiger Woods' father, Earl, nicknamed him "Tiger" after a South Vietnamese soldier with whom he had fought alongside during the Vietnam War. --Source: WikipediaTRENDING ONLINE:
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