Tiger 'backs" out of Arnie's tournament

He may have won it 8 times including the last 2, but it's never good news for anyone, except the rest of the field when Tiger pulls out of an event.

He has had to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational  because of persistent pain in his back, and for those of you who have never had one, you just cannot play golf with a wonky back. Hell you can't walk, run and God help you when you sneeze !!

From his website..Unfortunately, my back spasms and the pain haven't subsided."

He had to withdraw after 13 holes of the final round at the Honda Classic three weeks ago because of  back spasms and pain in his lower back. He tried to defend his title the following week at Doral, only for his back to flare up again in the final round. He closed with a 78, the highest Sunday score of his PGA Tour career.

This is only the second time that Woods has not played Bay Hill The Masters, which is 3 weeks away, is the only major Woods has never missed.

Website.."It's too early to know about the Masters, and I will continue to be evaluable and work closely with my doctors,"

He first showed signs of back pain at Bethpage Black at The Barclays in 2012, which he attributed to a soft bed at his hotel.

Woods is off to the worst start of his 18 years on tour. At Torrey Pines,Woods shot his highest score on American soil with a 79 to miss the 54-hole cut. He tied for 41st in the Dubai Desert Classic a week later for his worst finish in that event.

Jack Nicklaus has always said that Tiger would surpass his record of 18 major championships... as long as he stayed healthy !!

At 38, with years of great golf seemingly still ahead, his back problem have temporarily derailed his career.  I believe, as fit as he is that he should be able to manage whatever the problem is, look at Freddie Couples still winning on the Champions Tour as an example.

However you must also remember Tiger has been swinging a golf club around his back since he was 2, that's a lot of wear and tear no matter how fit he is..

With the Master's approaching, I do not expect him to play at all before unless he is sure it won't jeopardize his chances of teeing it up at Augusta..