Tiger Woods suffers back injury scare ahead of USPGA

Washington, Aug 13(ANI): American golfer Tiger Woods' pursuit to win his third consecutive tournament and his first major of 2009 was hit by an injury scare while practicing at Hazeltine.

Woods, a four-time US PGA Championships winner, is 13-8 favourite with bookmakers to equal the record held jointly by Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen, who have won five US PGA Championships.

The world No.1 has won five tournaments since returning from major knee surgery in February, but a back injury could hit his chances of securing a 15th major on Sunday, as he was seen wincing and holding his body after playing a shot with his driver.

According to reports, Woods left the range and went straight to the PGA Tour's fitness and rehab trailer. Later, he came out with his agent Mark Steinberg and insisted that there were no issues.

"I've had four knee surgeries, so I guess that's significant, but as far as other parts of my body are concerned I've always had a pretty healthy body," The Mirror quoted Woods, as saying.

The 33 year-old further insisted that he has been lucky that he never had to face any issue regarding his back or neck, which many professionals like him face in their career.

"The only area I've had a problem with is in my knee when I first had those tumours. That's what started the whole thing, culminating in surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament last year," Woods added.

Woods will begin his first round on Thursday alongside defending champion Padraig Harrington and 2002 winner Rich Beem. (ANI)