US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson said the latest back injury scare for Tiger Woods is not a good sign for his possible selection in his team he’s taking to Gleneagles.

A day after Woods withdrew from the final round of the World Golf Championships event at Firestone Country Club with back spasms, Watson was still hopeful the 14-time major winner might yet play in this week’s PGA Championship, the last major tournament of the year.

Tom Watson prepared to throw Tiger Woods a lifelife.(Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“I would pick Tiger Woods if he’s healthy and playing well,” Watson said. “This doesn’t bode well right now.

“I just hope maybe it’s an isolated problem that he can turn around and possibly play this week at the PGA.”

Since withdrawing last Sunday after nine holes Woods has been conferring with his specialists near his home in Jupiter, Florida to evaluate the injury and what happens next.

And while he remains in doubt for this week’s season-ending Major his caddie Joey LaCava has been at Valhalla and doing what ever caddy does and that is to walk the course and be prepared should Woods tee up alongside Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.

Woods played the following week after withdrawing with a back spasm at the Honda Classic in February but was in such pain by the end he had difficulty standing over a putt. A fortnight later, he underwent an operation for a herniated disc that kept him out for four months.