Fans viewing the leaderboard at the Dubai Desert Classic were greeted with a "WD" next to Tiger Woods' name early Friday morning, and the European Tour announced shortly thereafter that Woods has officially withdrawn from the event without a specific reason given for the decision.
Woods, 41, who went birdie-free in a 5-bogey opening-round 77 on Thursday, appeared hobbled while playing the round but made it clear afterward that he was not injured.
"No, I wasn't in pain at all," he said. "I was just trying to hit shots and I wasn't doing a very good job.