LA JOLLA, US (AFP) - An ailing Tiger Woods withdrew from the first round of the PGA tournament at Torrey Pines after 11 holes on Thursday.
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 and walked gingerly off the Torrey Pines North Course.
There were fog delays before the round began, and Woods said the pain started while he was waiting it out.
"It tightened up during the suspensions and it never loosened back up again," Woods told USA Today. "It just got progressively tighter."
His early departure is another setback after he shot a career-worst 82 in the second round at Phoenix last week.
This is Woods' ninth career withdrawal, but his third in the past eight starts.