TIGER WOODS’ PERSISTENT back spasms have forced the 14-time major winner to cancel a news conference scheduled for Wednesday.
The former world number one was due to address the media ahead of this week’s Genesis Open, a tournament run by the Tiger Woods Foundation.
His ongoing back problems led the 41-year-old to withdraw from the event at Riviera Country Club and, on doctor’s advice, he is now seeking to “limit all activities”.
Agent Mark Steinberg insisted the decision was a precaution as Woods battles to return to full fitness.
“This isn’t about him not doing a press conference,” he told ESPN. “What is going to be accomplished? What is he going to say? That he hopes his back spasms calm down.
“This is about the Genesis Open, the Tiger Woods Foundation and supporting [tournament sponsor] Hyundai and his foundation. He is doing all he can without having to get up and move around all that much so that he can put himself in the best position to recover.
“He is just having a hard time getting these spasms to calm down and he’s working on that on an hourly basis. He’s got personnel working with him to help pacify that.”
Asked whether the perception that Woods’ situation appeared bleak was accurate, Steinberg said: “To the outside world, it’s up to you to draw that conclusion. Tiger remains pretty confident in the fact that these spasms are something he knows will calm down. He’s just working around the clock to make that happen.
“He’s got an intense dedication to get back to the point where he can be out there practicing and in public and working toward his goal.
“At this point, it is the back spasms that are keeping him from being a part of the tournament.
“He’s paying close attention to his doctors who he has seen since he’s been in California and to do the right thing as far as the long term.”
