Former world number one Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will not tee up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the first since the death of Arnold Palmer.
Woods has not played since withdrawing with back problems after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
‘Unfortunately, due to ongoing rest and rehabilitation on my back, I won’t be able to play in this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational,’ Woods wrote on his website.
‘I’m especially disappointed because I wanted to be at Bay Hill to help honour Arnold.
‘This is one event I didn’t want to skip. Arnold has meant so much to me and my family; I thought of him as a close friend, and Sam and Charlie were both born in the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. He will be greatly missed and can never truly be replaced.
‘Presently, I have no timetable for my return to golf, but my treatments are continuing and going well.’
Woods is yet to make an announcement regarding his participation in The Masters, which tees off in April.
