Tiger Woods out of Open due to lingering leg injury

TIGER Woods is out of next week's Open Championship at Sandwich as his injury agony goes on.

Not prepared to take the gamble that he did at the Players Championship on 12 May - he shot 42 for nine holes and then quit - the three-time champion will miss the event for the second time in four years.

"Unfortunately, I've been advised that I should not play in the British Open," Woods said on his official website yesterday.

After four operations on his left knee already in his career - one of those led to him missing Birkdale in 2008 - the 14-time major winner hurt it again during the Masters in April and also injured an Achilles tendon.

"As I stated (last week], I am only going to come back when I'm 100 per cent ready. I do not want to risk further injury," he added. "That's different for me, but I'm being smarter this time. I'm very disappointed and want to express my regrets to the British Open fans."

On his decision to play at Sawgrass, Woods said: "In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have competed at the Players, but it's a big event and I wanted to be there to support the Tour. I've got to learn from what I did there and do it right this time and not come back until I'm ready. I think my best years are still ahead of me and I'm very confident and optimistic about the future."

Woods personally contacted Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Club, to explain his decision. "I know how disappointed Tiger is not to be able to play," said Dawson. "Naturally, we are sorry that a player of his calibre isn't able to join us at Royal St George's, but we wish him well in his recovery and hope to see him back soon."

Woods will be replaced by fellow American Jason Dufner, Australian Brendan Jones having turned down the chance to play because his wife is expecting.