PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida - Tiger Woods' troubles continued as he withdrew from the Players Championship on Thursday through injury after slipping to six over par after the opening nine holes.

It is the second successive year that the former world No 1 has pulled out of the tournament - he withdrew from the final round last year, after six holes, due to a neck injury.

The 14-times major winner came into the Players, known as the 'fifth major', after suffering knee and Achilles tendon injuries and said he had hurt himself on the first tee shot.