Tiger Woods Back Injury Update: Golfer Could Miss 2014 Masters, Says 'Still Too Soon' For Decision Regarding Augusta

World No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods hasn’t enjoyed a strong start to the 2014 PGA Tour season and due to ongoing problems with his back, the 38-year-old superstar could be forced to miss one of the most anticipated events in the game of golf. Two weeks away from the 2014 Masters Championship, Woods -- who has captured the Green Jacket four times during his stellar career -- said recently that he’s not sure if he’ll be able to go because the event is still too far down the road for him to make the appropriate decision. With 79 career victories including 14 major championships, the former Stanford University standout is looking forward to returning to form following an aggravating treatment process.

“For Augusta, it's actually still a little too soon, to be honest with you,” Woods said Monday when asked about his ongoing back issues and whether or not he’ll be able to tee it up when The Masters opens on Thursday, April 10. “That's kind of the frustrating thing about this. I've had a couple weeks off and getting treatment and just working on trying to get ready for Augusta. As of right now, it's still too soon, which is, as I said, pretty frustrating.”

Woods removed himself from the final round at the Honda Classic on March 2 due to back spasms and endured another back ailment the next week at Doral where the pain forced him to shoot a final round 78, the highest final day number in his 18-year professional career. While it is possible for Woods to miss the first major championship of the PGA Tour season, many believe the top-ranked player in the world will participate at an event he’s never missed in his time on tour even though recent health has escaped him.

Despite winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational eight times in his career, Tiger Woods was forced to remove himself from last week’s tournament because the back pain was too severe. Alerted that Woods would not be attending after speaking to Tiger on the phone, the legendary golfer said he’s glad that Tiger is taking the advice of his doctors in order to be ready for Augusta.

“I don’t think he knows how bad his back is,” Palmer said. “I think he’s listening to the doctors, and he mentioned that they said he needs to give it a bit of a rest and see if he can work it out. I think he needs to take, whether it’s this week, next week, or the following week, to get ready for Augusta. Certainly if I were in that position, I’d be doing much the same.”