TIGER Woods continued to struggle with a back injury and pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open after 12 holes.
Woods, coming off his worst score as a professional at the Phoenix Open last week, had been favouring his back throughout his round after being forced to sit and wait out a lengthy fog delay.
The 14-times major winner, who continued to struggle with his swing and short game, was two-over-par on the North course when he decided to pull out, his third withdrawal in his last nine tournaments.
Thompson headed the field with an eight-under-par 64 on the North course, good enough for a one shot lead over Michael Thompson, who shot 65 on the same layout. Forty two players failed to finish their round before darkness fell.
Phoenix Open winner Brooks Koepka and Cameron Tringale shared third at six-under on the North, while Columbian Jhonattan Vegas had arguably the best round of the day as the only one of six players at five-under who played the South course.
Woods was due on the tee after an already lengthy delay before more Thursday fog rolled over the coastal course, causing another suspension.
“When we had that break. It just never loosened back up again. And when we went back out, it just got progressively tighter,” Woods told reporters.
“It’s frustrating that it started shutting down like that. I was ready to go. I had a good warm-up session the first time around.
“Then we stood out here and I got cold, and everything started deactivating again. And it’s frustrating that I just can’t stay activated.”