LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AFP) — Tiger Woods was nowhere to be seen yesterday at the PGA Championship, except for his image on promotional banners, and his status for tomorrow’s scheduled start at Valhalla remained uncertain.

Former world number one Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, suffered a back injury Sunday during his final round at the World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio.

Woods, who underwent back surgery March 31 to ease a pinched nerve, returned in late June and missed the cut at a PGA event his foundation owns, then shared 69th, his career worst 72-hole major showing, at last month’s British Open.

Woods has not finished 72 holes in a US event this year without pain, going the distance only at Doral in March with a final-round 78 when he struggled to bend and collect his ball from the cup and grimmaced at times after shots.

It’s a far cry from the level Woods played in the 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla, when he beat Bob May in a play-off to win the third leg of what would be four major titles in a row — the “Tiger Slam”.

From his record-shattering first major title at the 1997 Masters to his most recent major crown at the 2008 US Open when he limped to a play-off victory over Rocco Mediate, Woods has attracted fans beyond golf devotees to the sport.

“The dominance of Tiger’s play over a 10-year period is unmatched, really, I would have to say and was quite incredible,” said Adam Scott, who in May dethroned idled Woods from the world number one spot.

Since his last major win, Woods has been nagged by a series of injuries to his back, knees and legs.

But if he fails to play this week, it would mark the first time in his career he has missed three majors in a season, having sat out the Masters and US Open this year while recovering from surgery.

Woods, ranked 10th, had not registered with PGA officials by yesterday afternoon but could still do so just before his Thursday morning tee time and play in the year’s final major.

Woods, who will turn 39 in December, is slated to play the first two rounds alongside five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.

The PGA Championship remains listed as Woods’ next event on his website.

Should Woods withdraw, American Shawn Stefani is at the top of the alternates list and would qualify for his first PGA Championship.

Rivals spoke with concern about his condition more than fear of him capturing a fifth Wanamaker Trophy.

Reigning US Open champion Martin Kaymer of Germany played alongside Woods in the first two days at Akron and was impressed with Woods’ chipping.

“Everybody wants him to be back at the golf tournaments,” Kaymer said yesterday. “If you win a big tournament without Tiger in the field, you still feel very happy about it, but you want to play against him. It’s nice if he’s part of every tournament. He brings a lot of people into it. It has a different flair.”

Kaymer said he would have made certain not to return too soon from surgery, Woods having said in June he had been cleared to begin playing just before entering his PGA event.