Singh to try to give it a go

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Vijay Singh, the 2000 Masters champion, says he's going to try to tee it up Thursday in the 74th Masters despite continuing back problems that have caused him to withdraw from his last three starts, including midway through the opening round of last week's Shell Houston Open.

Singh is suffering from recurring back spasms that were caused by stretching exercises prior to the first round of the Transitions Championship March 18 in Palm Harbor, Fla.

"I'm in the best shape of my life, but I can't shake the spasms right now," Singh said after playing nine holes Tuesday afternoon at Augusta National GC. "I'm feeling better, and the hot weather is helping. I'm not trying to do too much right now, but I think I will be OK."

Singh, 47, said he hurt his back doing a simple stretch in which he was sitting on the floor and leaning forward. The three-time major winner, seeking his first victory since the 2008 Deutsche Bank Championship, has been battling back problems all season. He hurt his back initially at the Sony Open in Hawaii when he picked up a piece of luggage on arrival in Honolulu.

"Right now I feel like I'm a bit unlucky," said the native of Fiji, who is scheduled to being his 17th Masters at 12:14 p.m. EDT Thursday with Sean O'Hair and Jason Dufner. "I hurt myself literally on the very last stretch I was doing. That's what I'm dealing with. I just want to get out and play, and, hopefully, I can do that. We'll have to wait and see."

-- *Dave Shedloski