Woods won't play Arnold Palmer Invitational; no timetable for return

Tiger Woods announced Thursday on his website that he won't play next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill:

Unfortunately, due to ongoing rest and rehabilitation on my back, I won't be able to play in this year's Arnold Palmer Invitational. I'm especially disappointed because I wanted to be at Bay Hill to help honor 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 has not played a competitive round since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic in early February due to back spasms. With the Masters around the corner, the Puerto Rico Open in two weeks and the Houston Open are the only remaining events Woods could use as a tuneup.

The 41-year-old is an eight-time winner at Bay Hill, having claimed his first title in 2000.