That kid may be right on Tiger losing No. 1

Tiger Woods just withdrew from The Players' Championship with a bulging disc in either his back or neck.

Even if Phil Mickelson doesn't win the Players, it's clearly just a matter of time before Tiger loses his No. 1 ranking.

That said, let's look at the longer term.

Jack Nicklaus never had this type of back problem in his mid-30s. He also did not have three knee operations. Those driver pop-ups by Woods may well be caused at least in part by the back, and not rust.

In that case, Woods has more than hanging on to No. 1 to worry about; he has the chase of Jack's 18 majors taking a whole new turn.

And, if his golf game is suddenly diminished, while his competitive fires, and his quasi-juvenile focus on them, are undimmed or even strengthened, his life gets even more tumultuous. Even more so if Elin has filed for divorce.

Look at Michael Jordan's post-Bulls attempts to still play.

Oh, and, yes, there's one way for Tiger to have thrown out his back!

Of course, there's conflicting news as to whether this is a bulging disc or just a pinched nerve. That's a huge difference.