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Jason Day has hit back at an ugly social media episode following his injury withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

The former world No.1 walked off the course midway through Thursday's opening round at Bay Hill before revealing he had an MRI days prior that indicated an annular disc tear in his back.

"I (then drove) to Palm Beach from Orlando and saw a spinal surgeon," Day said. "I had four (cortisone) injections around the spine and that alleviated a lot of the pain."

Day took his children to an Orlando theme park on the Friday, where a "creepy" fan photographed them without him realising, as they lined up for a ride, and posted it on Twitter.

"Heaven forbid I enjoy a day with my family; I was there half a day walking around," Day said on Tuesday at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

"(The doctor) wanted me to keep active and not lay around the next day."

The image went viral when a blogger shared it and incited criticism from fans by implying Day was exaggerating his injury.

It was also suggested Day was taking a spot in the field from the first alternate.

Day is seen as an easy target given his history of injuries.

He has withdrawn eight times in 237 PGA events, notably when he had to pull out in the second round of the 2012 Masters with a strained ankle.

The 12-time PGA Tour winner admits it's tempting to respond to criticism but rarely checks social media accounts.

"It's like when have you a fan yell at you on the course, you want to go over there and get into him but unfortunately it makes you look bad," Day said.

"That's the same with social media; that person who took a photo of me ... was kind of creepy.

"But when you're in the spotlight as an athlete ... you have to act in a professional manner."

A motivation for Day to withdraw last week was to get right for this week's Players Championship, regarded as golf's unofficial fifth major.

Day (2016) and Adam Scott (2004) are the only Australians in the field who have won at TPC Sawgrass.

Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Aaron Baddeley round out the Australian contingent at the 144-player tournament.

The event's $US12.5 million ($A17.6 million) purse is the richest on the PGA Tour, with $US2.25 million for the winner.

Tiger Woods insists his preparation is on track for next month's Masters despite a neck injury interrupting his schedule leading up to the Augusta National major.

The 14-time major champion withdrew from last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando - which he has won a record eight times - citing a neck strain that also prevented him from practising until Saturday.

Woods always planned to contest six US PGA Tour events - including this week's elite Players Championship - between January and the Masters but skipping the Palmer event means he will likely play five.

Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Woods said he was on pace for the Masters - where he will attempt to win a 15th major and fifth Augusta green jacket.

"I've played three tournaments this year so far, and that's about right; I was (only ever) going to play three or four (before the Players)," two-time Players champion Woods said.

"If I (played) last week, it would have been four tournaments, so I'm right where I need to be."

In his three PGA Tour starts this year, Woods has been solid - finishing in the top 20 each time including a share of 10th at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

"My finishes are getting a little bit better each time and I've gotten a little more consistent with my play," he said.

"I think everything is headed on track towards April (the Masters)."

Considering Woods has had four back surgeries, including a spinal fusion procedure in 2017 which forced a 10-month break, many were concerned Woods' latest ailment was serious.

Woods poured cold water on the neck concerns, but admitted his injuries will have to be managed more strictly than ever.

"My neck? No. It's more my lower back; I've got to keep that moving, even though it's fixed," Woods said.

"One of the issues with (spinal fusion surgery) is the forces have to go somewhere."

Woods has a history of playing through injuries, including when he won the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

He no longer wants to do that at the age of 43.

"I've got to stay fit and loose and not push it," Woods said.

"Over the years, I pushed through a few (injuries) and won a few tournaments doing that, but I also cost myself a few years out here."

Woods says he's excited to contest the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass now it has reverted to the March date it held until 2006.

He is the only player at TPC Sawgrass this week who has won the event in its March (2001) and former May (2013) dates.

The winner of 80 PGA Tour titles is also consulting putting coach Matt Killen, who works with Justin Thomas, having performed poorly on the greens at the WGC-Mexico.

Aaron Baddeley admits the frustration of squandering a golden opportunity at the Arnold Palmer Invitational was washed away when his five kids greeted him near the 18th green at Florida's Bay Hill course.

It was a tough day at the office for their dad, who not only squandered a chance to claim his first PGA Tour win in three years but also an automatic exemption to this year's British Open - awarded to the top-three finishers not already exempt.

Baddeley came within a shot of the lead early in the final round but faded with a two-over-par 74 that dropped him to a share of 17th at five under, seven shots adrift of winner Francesco Molinari.

The Italian world No.7 drained a 44-foot birdie putt on the 18th at Bay Hill to shoot an eight-under-par 64 and none of the final groups could match his 12 under (276) total, with overnight leader Matthew Fitzpatrick (71) runner-up two shots behind.

Baddeley's wife Richelle and their five children flew to Orlando, from their Arizona home, earlier than their scheduled arrival for this week's Players Championship in the hopes of being present for a fifth career PGA Tour win for Baddeley.

But the 37-year-old Victorian said his disappointment did not last long when greeted by his family.

"Yeah it's pretty quick; it was just nice to have them fly in a bit earlier to watch me," Baddeley told AAP while juggling his 18-month-old Jaddex.

Baddeley jagged two early birdies and came within striking distance of the leaders before a bogey at the par-4 ninth started a poor stretch.

He carded bogeys at the 12th and 17th holes, but a double-bogey 6 at the 15th properly ruled him out.

"Today I felt I hit the ball better than the first three day but I hit a couple of bad shots at the wrong time and you can't do that at Bay Hill," Baddeley said.

However, he is confident a win is close, having tied second in his recent PGA Tour start at the Puerto Rico Open.

"I think so; I'm starting to putt really good again," Baddeley said.

He is also inspired by the chemistry of reuniting with caddie Pete Bender at Bay Hill - the 71-year-old who was on the bag for Australians Greg Norman (1986) and Ian Baker-Finch's (1991) British Open victories.

"I plan to have Pete on the bag all this year for sure," Baddeley said.

Meanwhile, Marc Leishman, the 2017 winner at Bay Hill, signed off with a 70 to finish tied for 23rd place at four under.

Inspired by the legacy of the late Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy is determined to win the golf great's prestigious Bay Hill tournament on the PGA Tour for the second-straight year.

Having won the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational by three shots, defending champion McIlroy played his way into Sunday's final pairing courtesy of the equal-best round on day three in Florida.

McIlroy mixed seven birdies with a lone bogey during a six-under-par 66 that launched the Northern Irishman to second place at eight under, one stroke behind 54-hole leader Matthew Fitzpatrick (67).

Australia's Aaron Baddeley (69), Matt Wallace (69) and Kevin Kisner (70) share third at seven under.

McIlroy didn't play the Bay Hill tournament until 2015, which was 18 months before seven-time major winner Palmer's death.

Four-time major winner McIlroy says he regrets that scheduling conflict but is determined to honour 'The King' by defending his title in Sunday's final round.

"I didn't play this tournament for various reasons and I would always get a letter from Arnold every year saying, 'Hoping to see you at Bay Hill'," McIlroy said.

"Finally, in 2015, I played here and I realised what I was missing; I got to spend some time with Arnold which was a dream come true for me.

"He was an American icon ... I realised what a great man he (was) and how many lives he touched around the world.

"I think it is important for everyone to try come here and pay tribute to one of the legends of the game."

Although McIlroy has 22 professionals wins worldwide, including the 2013 Australian Open, he has never defended a title.

"It's a great opportunity tomorrow to do something I've never done before; that's exciting," McIlroy said.

With a win on Sunday, 29-year-old McIlroy would join Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players since 1934 to win four major championships among 15 PGA Tour titles before the age of 30.

The Palmer Invitational is one of the PGA Tour's most revered tournaments, offering a $US9.1 million ($A12.9m) purse and a three-year PGA Tour exemption for the winner.

Aaron Baddeley will be guided by the 71-year-old caddie who helped deliver Greg Norman and Ian Baker-Finch's maiden British Open titles as he attempts to end a near three-year winless drought on the PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Baddeley recently reunited with Pete Bender who, in 50 seasons carrying clubs on the PGA Tour, has caddied for golf greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd and Norman.

The 37-year-old Baddeley employed the veteran caddie between 2005 and 2008 before Bender was diagnosed with throat cancer.

But he is on Baddeley's bag at Bay Hill and the Victorian will enter the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational just two shots from the lead.

Baddeley rattled off four back-nine birdies on day three of the tournament in Florida to post a three-under-par 69 and a seven-under total.

Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick took the 54-hole lead with a 67 and at nine under he leads defending champion Rory McIlroy (66) by one shot.

Four-time major winner McIlroy and Fitzpatrick will play in the final group, while Baddeley and Englishman Matt Wallace (69) are the penultimate pair, in a share of third with Kevin Kisner (70).

Baddeley's last win came at the Barbasol Championship in July 2016 but he has a chance to secure the fifth win of his PGA Tour career at the prestigious $US9.1 million ($A12.9m) Palmer event.

The two-time Australian Open champion has rediscovered his world-class putting, having shared second place at the recent Puerto Rico Open.

Baddeley was visibly excited at having the final-round expertise of Bender, who was on the bag for Norman's breakthrough Open victory in 1986 and Baker-Finch's triumph at the 1991 Open.

"It's great to have him back; he's an amazing caddie," Baddeley told AAP.

Baddeley's stunning hole-out for birdie from a greenside bunker at the par-3 14th was among a series of miraculous sand saves that kept Baddeley in contention.

He bagged birdies from bunkers at the par-5 12th and 16th holes, while he saved par from the greenside traps at holes 15 and 17.

Baddeley is an astonishing 14 from 15 in sand saves this week.

"Yeah, I brought a big shovel today," Baddeley said.

"These bunkers here have great sand and I feel really comfortable in them."

Marc Leishman is the only other Australian in the field and an even-par 72 on Saturday left the 2017 Bay Hill winner at two under.

Australia's Nick Cullen will head into the final day of the Qatar Masters just one shot off the lead after posting a four-under-par 68 at Doha Golf Club.

Cullen carded five birdies to sit tied second alongside Spaniard Nacho Elvira, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and South African Erik van Rooyen on nine under on Saturday, a shot behind clubhouse leader Oliver Wilson.

South Australian Cullen turned in 36 and picked up shots on the 10th, 12th and 16th, while an 18-foot putt on the penultimate hole thrust him right into the mix after three rounds.

Cullen's fellow Australians Jake McLeod - who made a hole-in-one on the third - and 20-year-old rookie Min Woo Lee - who sunk seven birdies in a fine five under 67 - are a shot back, tied sixth on eight under with Belgian Thomas Detry and Swede Anton Karlsson.

Victorian Lucas Herbert lies four shots further back after a third-round 70.

English leader Wilson finished with a 69 to get to 10-under and a win on Sunday would represent another remarkable comeback in a rollercoaster career for the 38-year-old, who represented Europe at the 2008 Ryder Cup but fell to 792nd in the world before he won the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

He slipped outside the top 2000 last summer but has since claimed two victories on the second tier Challenge Tour and was pleased with the maturity he showed as he looks for a third win in just under eight months.

Aaron Baddeley has credited a homemade putting green built between the weights in his garage gym for a recent surge in form, having shot his way into contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

Coming off a tie for second in his last PGA Tour start at the Puerto Rico Open, the Australian will enter Saturday's third round at Orlando's renowned Bay Hill course just five shots from the lead.

Baddeley hit just six of 14 fairways during Friday's second round but negotiated Bay Hill's thick rough for a second straight round of two-under-par 70.

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66) and former major winner Keegan Bradley (68) share the 36-hole lead at nine under - four strokes ahead of a five-way tie for third including reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari.

A four-time US PGA Tour winner and two-time Australian Open champion, Baddeley is regarded as one of the tour's best putters but has struggled lately.

He ranked first on the PGA Tour for strokes gained in putting in 2015, when countrymen Jason Day and Jordan Spieth were winning majors.

But while vastly improving his ball-striking and driving, Baddeley was uncharacteristically poor on the greens last year, ranking 128th.

The Victorian said he had a lightbulb moment at home in Arizona days before finishing second in Puerto Rico last month.

"I had a good putting session at home Monday of that week; part of our garage at home is a gym, so I put some nice rubber down for the weight machines and I was putting on that towards a dumbbell (as a target)," Baddeley told AAP.

"I noticed something with my grip in LA (Genesis Open) and fixed it."

The 37-year-old also reverted to the same make of putter with which he won his last tournament - the 2016 Barbasol Championship on the PGA Tour.

The original putter was destroyed by airline baggage handlers but Baddeley had manufacturer Odyssey fashion him a replica No.7.

Baddeley is the leading Australian at Bay Hill, with 2017 Palmer winner Marc Leishman posting a 70 to sit at two under. Jason Day, the 2016 Bay Hill winner, withdrew injured on day one with a back issue.

An injured Jason Day didn't show up at Bay Hill for practice rounds on Tuesday or Wednesday prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

On Thursday, the former world No.1 cast significant doubt over whether he will contest next week's Players Championship by withdrawing from the Palmer event just six holes in - citing a back injury.

Day was two-over-par at the time and visibly struggling with his swing.

He walked off Bay Hill's par-5 16th hole - his seventh - and revealed an MRI scan he underwent Monday indicated an an annular tear in the L4/L5 disc.

The 2016 winner of the Palmer event believes he aggravated his back during intense practice last week at TPC Sawgrass - site of next week's elite Players Championship.

"I (aggravated) it last Sunday, and then got an MRI Monday which came back that I had an annular tear in my disc and then I've got 'set problems' as well," Day said.

"My back was sore when I was practising from Tuesday to Saturday (last week) and I was going to practise on Sunday, but I woke up and couldn't really walk or sit in the car.

"I was on a dose pack to try get the inflammation out of it and that didn't get any better.

"I saw a physio here (in Orlando) and tried to do as much work as I possibly could to get ready for (Bay Hill).

"I couldn't play at 100 per cent today so I just wanted to see if I could get out here and see if my back loosened up at all. Unfortunately it didn't."

Day was still confident he will be able to play the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass next week, which is regarded as golf's unofficial fifth major.

The 31-year-old equalled the course record 63 at Sawgrass during his four-shot win there in 2016.

"I think it's just rest I need, to be honest, and hopefully I'll be ready next week," Day said.

Day has history of injuries, notably when he had to withdraw from the 2012 Masters during the second round at Augusta National with a strained left ankle.

He also withdrew mid-tournament from the final two events of the 2016 PGA Tour play-offs with a strained ligament in his lower back.

In 2014 a thumb injury sidelined Day for nearly two months forced him to skip the Players Championship.

Marc Leishman fought back from the most humiliating walk in professional golf to leave himself well in contention after round one at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

Leishman eventually finished seven shots back of first round leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello, but his scorecard was looking grim after a horror sixth hole.

The 2017 Palmer event winner rinsed his tee-shot at Bay Hill's par-5 sixth, but was unaware it had not crossed the water hazard until he was halfway up the fairway.

It meant the world No.18 had to walk 300 yards back to the tee and reload for what was his third shot.

"It's the walk of shame, cruising back to the tee with the tail between the legs. Phil Mickelson (in the group behind) had already teed it up," Leishman told AAP.

After a double-bogey seven, even children were sledging the 35-year-old Victorian.

"Walking to seventh tee I had a kid say to me, 'How's the water, Leishman?' That caught me off guard," said Leishman, who was then four over after six holes.

However, he composed himself following a stern talking to from caddie and childhood friend Matthew Kelly and rattled off four back nine birdies to sign for an even-par 72.

"Apart from (the fourth through sixth holes) I actually played quite well today," Leishman said.

"I said to Matty, 'Let's birdie the two par-5s, get two more and try shoot even'."

Spaniard Cabrera-Bello mixed an impressive eight birdies with a lone bogey during a 65 that rocketed him to seven-under - two shots ahead of American Keegan Bradley (67).

Major winners Mickelson, Graeme McDowell and Bubba Watson, as well as Patrick Rodgers and Billy Horschel, all shot 68 to share third at four-under.

Given the difficulty of thick rough and fast greens at Orlando's famed Bay Hill course, Leishman is confident he can claw his way back up the leaderboard with a hot second round on Friday.

"I never give up, there's always something to play for," said Leishman, who finished seventh at Bay Hill last year.

"It's Bay Hill, you can bring yourself back with a couple good rounds and have a good chance to win on Sunday."

However, Aaron Baddeley (70) is the leading - and only other - Australian at Bay Hill after Jason Day withdrew mid round citing a back injury.

Former world No.1 and 2016 winner at Bay Hill, Day walked off after just six holes before revealing he had an MRI on Monday that indicated an annular tear in his L4/L5 disc.

He is now doubtful for the next week's Players Championship, which he also won in 2016.

South Africa's Justin Walters admitted he was "ecstatic" after an opening 67 gave him a share of the lead after a windswept opening day of the Qatar Masters.

Walters defied the testing conditions to fire five birdies and no bogeys in a flawless round at Doha Golf Club and join Spain's Adri Arnaus on five under par at the European Tour event.

Australia's Nick Cullen carded a three-under round of 69 to sit among a crop of players tied for tenth.

Compatriot Lucas Herbert was on the same score on the 17th hole when play was suspended for the day, to resume of 0745 local time on Friday, while fellow Victorian Deyen Lawson is one shot further back.

Aussie rookie Min Woo Lee, 20, shot a three-over-par 74 with Scott Hend on four over.

"I putted really well and my short game was really good today," front man Walters said. "I haven't played that well, even in calmer conditions, in a while so it's surprising and very welcome."

Arnaus, who finished second on the Challenge Tour last year to graduate to the European Tour, and Walters enjoy a one-shot lead over a seven-strong group which includes South Africans Justin Harding and George Coetzee, Scotland's Richie Ramsay and Welshman Bradley Dredge.

Ramsay started his round with an eagle on the 10th - his opening hole of the day - and reached five under par after 10 holes, only to drop shots on the seventh and eighth before a closing birdie on the ninth.

Oman Open winner Kurt Kitayama, who is seeking a third European Tour victory in his last 10 starts, is part of a 19-strong group on three under par after an opening 69.