Tiger Woods has pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic after suffering problems with his back once again.
The 14-time major winner suffered a lower-back spasm on Thursday night and has decided to withdraw before the second round.
Woods, who has only just returned to action after 15 months out following back surgery, got off to a disastrous start in the tournament in Dubai. He was well off the pace after his first round score of five-shots over par left him twelve shots behind leader Sergio Garcia.
The 41-year-old appeared to finish the round in no pain but began to feel discomfort in his lower-back later on that evening. Despite Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, confirming it isn't the same problem that forced Woods to be sidelined for so long, it's certainly a set back for the four-time Masters winner.
Steinberg said: "He says it's not the nerve pain that's kept him out for so long. He says it's a back spasm and he just can't get the spasm to calm down. So that's where we are.
"He can move around, he can't make a full rotation on the swing. The fact that he feels as though it's not the nerve pain, that's very encouraging for him. The short-term prognosis, he hopes he'll be strong based on the fact that it's not that nerve pain," added Woods' agent.
The injury will raise further doubts over Woods' ability to compete at the top level again and challenge for majors. Following his latest injury, Woods has drifted to 40/1 with Paddy Power to win the Masters.
