Tiger Woods has 'no timetable' over return to the game as injury troubles continue

The former world number one and 14-time major winner was set to take part in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods hasn't played since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic in February (Getty)

Tiger Woods admits he has "no timetable" on his return golf.

The former world number one and 14-time major winner was set to take part in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, but has not recovered sufficiently from the back spasms which saw him withdraw from the Dubai Desert Classic back in February.

"Unfortunately, due to ongoing rest and rehabilitation on my back, I won't be able to play in this year's Arnold Palmer Invitational," Woods wrote in a statement.

"I'm especially disappointed because I wanted to be at Bay Hill to help honour 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 (Woods' children) 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 insisted he had not been in pain after an opening 77 in Dubai, but pulled out of what was just his third event since August 2015 before the second round.

His agent Mark Steinberg said at the time Woods was pleased it was a spasm, rather than the nerve pain caused by a back injury which required three operations in the space of 19 months.

However, a week later Woods also pulled out of the Genesis Open and Honda Classic and the 41-year-old later cancelled his scheduled press conference at the Genesis Open, which benefits his foundation.

Woods looks increasingly likely to miss the Masters for the third time in the last four years. The year's first major will be staged at Augusta National from April 6-9.