Woods not ready to return for Bay Hill

Tiger Woods won’t be playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week and still doesn’t know when he can compete again.

Woods announced on his website Thursday night that ongoing rest and rehabilitation on his back will keep him away from the Orlando tournament he has won eight times. Woods says he was particularly disappointed to miss Bay Hill because of celebration of the tournament host, who died in September.

Woods says he has no timetable for his return.

Valspar Championship:

Jim Herman opened with a 9-under 62 Thursday for a two-shot lead at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Herman putted for birdie on all but two holes on the tree-lined Copperhead Course and only came close to bogey once, making an 8-foot par save on No. 2.

Herman missed the course record by one shot but still had a two-shot lead over British Open champion Henrik Stenson and Russell Henley.

Women’s basketball:

Dawn Staley will coach the U.S. team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Staley, 46, has coached South Carolina since 2008, guiding the Gamecocks to four straight SEC titles.

Auto racing: Team owners Joe Gibbs and Roger Penske and late driver Davey Allison are among new nominees for the 2018 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. ODDS AND ENDS