
A "back spasm" has forced Tiger Woods to withdraw from the Dubai Desert Classic.

Tiger Woods suffered another difficult opening day in his second tournament since returning from a long injury layoff.

Woods carded a five-over par round of 77 on the opening day of the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic Thursday.

The former world No. 1 didn't record a single birdie on the opening day.

Woods' once-legendary touch on the greens eluded him at the Emirates Golf Club.

"I didn't hit the ball very well," he told reporters after his round, EuropeanTour.com reported. "I left probably about 16 putts short. I just couldn't get the speed of these things and, consequently, it added up to a pretty high number."

Woods missed the cut on his return to action in last month's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California.

A dejected-looking Woods leaves the ninth green at the end of his first round as playing partners Matthew Fitzpatrick and Masters champion Danny Willett of England shake hands behind him.

"I'm fighting my ass off to try and shoot a score," Woods said, EuropeanTour.com reported.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was the early tournament leader with a seven-under 65, one shot better South Africa's George Coetzee and Felipe Aguilar from Chile.

Woods is currently in a tie for 124th and in danger of missing the cut.