Injury may rule Woods out of WGC

A back injury has made Tiger Woods a doubtful starter for his defence of the American Express world championship at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny tomorrow.

After aborting his practice session after a mere seven holes today the world number two, who has been suffering for the past week, said: “The warm-up session probably will determine it, just like it did today.

“I warmed up after I loosened up and went out and hit a few balls. It was sore, but I could manage that. Then I just quit. I didn’t want to push it any further.”

Woods, not helped by the damp conditions, has been receiving treatment since the problem began on a flight from New York to his Florida home following the Ryder Cup.

“I got it sleeping kind of awkwardly. I was really tired and just fell asleep on the plane. Just a couple of rib heads aren’t gliding properly and it spasmed up and hasn’t been the same since.

“I’m hitting it straighter, but it’s not going as far. It’s certainly stiff, there’s no doubt about it. I could have played all 18 today, but it would have been very tough. Hopefully tomorrow it will be a little bit easier to play 18.”

Woods had knee trouble during the 2002 season before finally undergoing surgery and commented: “It hurt a lot, but I could play through that. This one you just can’t swing a golf club – it’s as my shoulder blade contracts, right at impact and beyond impact.

“I’ve never had back pain in my life, so this is all new to me. I guess this is what happens when you get older.” Woods is still only 28.

“If I am able to go I’ll go. If I can’t then I won’t. I’ve never been one to pull out of tournaments and quit just because I’m physically sore. But if I can’t actually swing a golf club then it’s pretty tough to play.”

To lose Woods would be the third big blow the tournament has suffered. Masters champion Phil Mickelson decided not to come for “personal reasons” and on Monday Vijay Singh, winner of five of his last six events and Woods’ successor as world number one, said he was not travelling following damage to his home from Hurricane Jeanne.

Former Open champions John Daly and Nick Price, last year’s Masters champion Mike Weir and American Ryder Cup player Kenny Perry are absentees as well.

Woods has won the tournament the last two years and has an amazing nine victories in the 17 World Golf Championships he has played, but if he does not lift the trophy on Sunday he will be without a single stroke play title to his name.

And that has not happened since he won his fifth event as a professional back in 1996.

Woods does not tee off until 12.50pm – alongside Luke Donald and KJ Choi – so does at least have a chance for further treatment during the morning.