Woods skipping Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back stiffness

Tiger Woods won't play in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back stiffness, according to ESPN's Bob Harig.

"He is not going to play," Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told Harig. "Back still stiff and not quite ready."

Woods also pulled out of the event last year due to a neck strain.

The 44-year-old most recently played at The Genesis Invitational - a tournament he hosts - and finished last among those who made the cut at Riviera Country Club.

Tiger, an eight-time Arnold Palmer Invitational winner, was expected to appear at Bay Hill after skipping the WGC-Mexico Championship. He's played in two tournaments in 2020, with his best result (T-9) coming at the Farmers Insurance Open.

The Players Championship follows Bay Hill, and that will likely be Tiger's next start.