Ailing Tiger Woods withdraws at Torrey Pines

February 06, 2015 | 10:12

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The 14-time major champion appeared to be troubled by back pain, and was two-over for the day when he spoke to his playing partners on the Torrey Pines North Course and walked gingerly away, eventually being taken off in a golf cart.

Tiger Woods plays his shot during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Feb 5, 2015 in La Jolla, California. (AFP/Donald Miralle)

LA JOLLA, United States: An ailing Tiger Woods withdrew from the first round of the PGA tournament at Torrey Pines after 11 holes on Thursday (Feb 5).

The 14-time major champion appeared to be troubled by back pain, and was two-over for the day when he spoke to his playing partners on the Torrey Pines North Course and walked gingerly away, eventually being taken off in a golf cart.

In a brief word with reporters, 39-year-old Woods said his lower back got tight during the fog delay that pushed back the start of the day's play. Woods' early departure is another setback, following his career-worst 82 in the second round at Phoenix last week, where he missed the cut by 12 strokes.

Woods, chasing the record 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus, said in Arizona that he was not injured and just needed more tournament work to try to recover his lost form. He was no doubt hoping to get that at Torrey Pines, where his eight titles include his most recent major, the 2008 US Open.

But Woods, who has fallen to 56th in the world and is in danger of failing to qualify for the World Golf Championships event at Doral, seemed to be in increasing discomfort as his round wore on.

He opened with a bogey at the 10th and dropped another shot at the par-three 12th. He got back to even par with birdies at 16 and one, but could often be seen rubbing or grabbing his back. His decision to depart followed a double-bogey six at the par-four second hole.

AFP

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