ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods was a large part of the conversation on the eve of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

And he’s not even playing.

Woods is missing Bay Hill for only the second time in his career when the tournament starts Thursday on a course that Palmer said is in the best shape ever. Woods has won eight times, including the last two years, but he called the 84-year-old host on Tuesday to say persistent back pain will keep him from playing.

“He didn’t tell me how bad his back is. I don’t think he knows how bad his back is,” Palmer said. “I think he’s listening to the doctors. And he mentioned that they’re saying that he needs to give it a bit of a rest and see if he can work it out. He was very nice. And I, of course, have great sympathy for the fact that he tried like hell to come here and play..

“I think he wanted to play golf this week,” Palmer said. “I think that he needs to take (time) — whether it’s this week, next week or the following week — to get ready for Augusta. Certainly, if I were in that position, I’d be doing much the same.”