Tiger Woods pulls out of Bay Hill with neck strain

FILE – US golfer Tiger Woods waits for his turn on the green of the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA World Golf Championship, at Chapultepec’s Golf Club in Mexico City on February 23, 2019. (Photo by Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with what he describes as a neck strain.

Woods announced his decision Monday on Twitter. He says his lower back is fine and he has no concerns over the long run. Woods says he’s had the neck strain for a few weeks and it hasn’t improved with treatment to the point he feels he can play.

This is the first time the 43-year-old Woods has withdrawn from a tournament in two years, shortly before his fourth back surgery to fuse his lower spine.

Woods is an eight-time winner at Bay Hill.

He says he hopes to be ready the following week for The Players Championship.

Woods has played three times this year, with his best finish a tie for 10th in Mexico City.