American Gary Woodland was heading straight to the physio after struggling with a back injury during the opening round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida.

Woodland is teamed with Lake Nona neighbour Graeme McDowell over the three rounds of the $US 3.1m Greg Norman hosted event.

One half of the 2011 USA winning World Cup of Golf team was on pain-killers and had to undergo on-course treatment.

“My back is just horrible and it’s been giving me a lot of discomfort,” said Woodland.

“I just slept the wrong way in bed and woke up in a lot of pain because I had gone to bed the night before with no issues.”

Despite Woodland’s injury he and McDowell gelled well to end the round in a three-way share of third place with a combined 15-under par tally on the Norman designed Tiburon course.

Graeme McDowell tees off the 11th hole on day one of the 2104 Franklin Templeton Shootout. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“It was fortunate that I was still able to hit the driver and get it onto the fairway, and let G Mac do the work from there,” added Woodland.

“He can wedge it with the best of them and despite how poorly I’m feeling at present, he’s the best and one of the best players in the world.

“I can live a couple of houses down from G Mac while our wives are very good friends, so this is a fun week for me to be paired with him”

And McDowell was afterwards singing the praise of Woodland.

“Gary hung there unbelievably today and he had his trainer with him all day today and he was in a bad way before we teed off,” said McDowell.

“So all credit to Gary as there is not many guys who would have teed up today given how poorly Gary was feeling given his game is based on physicality.”

Australia’s Jason Day and American-born Cameron Tringale played the last nine holes in 11-under par in what would have been a combined score of 55 to lead by two shots at 17-under par.