Tiger Woods to play at Bay Hill despite back spasms

It seems that Tiger Woods’ recurring back spasms are not quite painful enough to keep him off one of his favorite courses.

Woods is reportedly working himself into shape — again — and plans to defend his championship at the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational next week.

“Tiger is continuing to get treatment and and get himself in a good place for next week,” his agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN.com. “He intends to be at Bay Hill.”

The announcement should not come as a surprise. Woods’ victory last year marked the eighth time he’s finished atop the leaderboard at the Florida course.

His back problems became serious at the Barclays last summer. A few weeks ago, the pain forced him to withdraw during the final round at the Honda Classic.

Last week at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, he grimaced after hitting from an awkward stance at the edge of a bunker. He was able to finish the tournament but was visibly hurting.

ALSO:

Blake Griffin takes his lumps and moves on

Get it together, Lakers: Hire Phil Jackson, already

As Pac-12 tournament is set to open, coaches think ahead