Tiger Woods pulls out of Dubai Desert Classic due to back spasms

Aguilar was bogey-free in his 66 with three birdies on each side of the golf course, while Coetzee started with a bogey before making seven birdies. The Swede was Dubai champion at the Emirates in 2007.

Woods has been trying to make a comeback after multiple back surgeries, and was expected to play four times in five weeks, starting with last week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where he missed the cut. Hatton, who had finished runner-up to compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick in a thrilling end to the DP World Tour Championship, last November, conjured an wonderful low score of seven-under 65, to be nine-under and tied for seventh. He has been recovering from multiple back surgeries/procedures. This is a man who somehow withstood two stress fractures to his left tibia and serious knee damage to claim the most recent of his 14 major titles at the 2008 U.S. Open.

This looks for all the world like a Garcia versus Stenson shootout, with Stenson on offer at the value odds.

Yet before deciding his fate Thursday evening, Woods excoriated those asking whether he shot the bloated number because he was in any discomfort.

“I have a chance of winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which is a great tournament, a great event”. Course: Emirates GC. Yardage: 7,328.

As Golf Channel’s Justin Ray points out, Tiger has more withdrawals since 2014 than he has top 10’s.

After a first round without a birdie, Woods said he was fine even though he appeared to be uncomfortable at times.

When an individual or team displays such mastery of a field, it becomes hard to place limits on what they may be able to achieve in future. He tied for 41st, 10 shots behind Stephen Gallacher.Willett won previous year by one shot over Andy Sullivan and Rafa Cabrera Bello. But he played just three times in 2016, and yes, it was the back that cut his schedule drastically.

The victor of 79 PGA Tour titles is due to play at the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club starting on February 16. Ernie Els is a three-time victor in Dubai, the most of any player.

If his attendance at the Genesis Open and Honda Classic are in jeopardy, then a Masters appearance now feels like it’s on life support.