Fellow Masters champion Bubba Watson said he was praying for Tiger Woods speedy return to competition despite initially having no knowledge of Woods back concern.

Woods was forced out after playing his tee shot at the ninth hole after experiencing back spasms and in only his third event back since under-going major back surgery in March.

Despite a birdie at the first Woods was four over par standing on the ninth tee but after his drive shook hands with the double Masters winner indicating his back was hurting so much he could not continue (see earlier story).

“I didn’t have any indication Tiger was in distress, no I didn’t as I was focused on my game,” said Watson.

“I did see his tee shot on No. 2 but I didn’t see his reaction and as he fell in the bunker or jumped back into the bunker.  I know he was in the rough at No. 6.  He hit it fat on 5 off the tee, which is going to, again, strain your back, put some stress on it.

“I’ve never had back problems, so I’m guessing it’s pretty painful.

“So something was bothering him, and so you could kind of tell something was going on, and then when he hit the shot at 9, hit the draw, he probably wasn’t trying to play a draw on 9, and when he came over his back probably tightened up and caused the draw.

“Again, like I told him when I shook his hand, I said, I’m praying for you.  Hope everything turns out good. Hope to see you next week.”

Woods withdrawal meant Watson was set to play the closing holes by himself however Canadian Graham DeLaet had also withdrawn just prior to tee off from the group ahead leaving American Russell Henley on his own.

“I called to Russell as I didn’t know who had withdraw and I said to him don’t you have any friends,” said Watson laughing..

“Russell was on 4 but then when Tiger withdrew I’ve now got no friends.  So I said to Russell let’s join up.”

Watson and Henley then called a rules official to ask whether than play by themselves if, in fact, under Tour rules they could join up.

Permission was granted and Henley and Watson formed a two-ball for the closing 8 holes.

“We had two rules officials and one went off with Tiger and I said to the other way, ‘Can we join up?’  It was just weird Russell was playing by himself and when Russell said he didn’t mind the officials said it was okay.”