Tiger withdraws from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

After hitting his tee shot on the par-4 ninth hole Sunday in the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club, Tiger Woods walked off the course in obvious discomfort. Earlier in the round, he developed back spasms and clearly wasn’t himself.

Sunday marked Tiger’s 10th competitive round since undergoing back surgery on March 31 for a pinched nerve. After making a birdie at the par-4 first hole, he hit several uncharacteristic poor shots and was 3-over through eight holes.

Woods said his problems began at the par-4 second hole, where he drove into a right fairway bunker and drew an awkward stance.

“I fell back into the bunker,” he said. “It just jarred it, and it’s been spasming ever since.”

Tiger tried to keep playing, but the pain intensified.

“It’s just the whole lower back,” said Woods. “I’m not sure what happened.”

He left the course in visible pain and was driven away by caddie Joe LaCava. Tiger will be examined by his doctors and there is no word on whether he might be able to play in next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.