Tiger Woods to skip next two events due to back spasms

Tiger Woods announced Friday he will not compete in his next two scheduled golf tournaments due to back spasms.

Last week, Woods withdrew from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic because of back spasms -- one day after shooting an opening 5-over-par 77 -- in another setback after a long injury layoff.

Woods will miss next week's Genesis Open and the Honda Classic, which is set to start Feb. 23.

Woods, whose foundation is a part of the festivities at Riviera Country Club next week, is still expected to make an appearance at the Los Angeles tournament.

"My doctors have advised me not to play the next two weeks, to continue my treatment and to let my back calm down," Woods said in a statement on his website. "This is not what I was hoping for or expecting. I am extremely disappointed to miss the Genesis Open, a tournament that benefits my foundation, and The Honda Classic, my hometown event. I would like to thank Genesis for their support, and I know we will have an outstanding week."

Woods plans to determine his playing schedule after his back is reassessed.

Woods, who turned 41 on Dec. 30, underwent multiple back surgeries in 2015 before returning to competitive golf last month after a 17-month injury hiatus. He played in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines but missed the cut.

When the 14-time major winner dropped out of the European Tour event in Dubai, his agent, Mark Steinberg, said the back spasms were not related to nerve issues that resulted in three surgeries, the most recent coming in August 2015.

Woods always turns his attention to the Masters, where he has not won in 12 years. He won the Masters in 2005 when he was 29.

"I've been thinking about it," Woods said last month. "Once the season ends, typically, in the fall, I start thinking about what I need to do to get ready for Augusta. I've done it for 20 years. Whether it's equipment or it's swing or whatever it is, in the back of my head I'm getting ready for Augusta."