Tiger Woods' withdrawal from the Players' Championship through injury for the second year running is a huge blow for the former world number one.

Last year it was a neck problem that was soon cured, but this time it is more worrying for Woods' future. He suffered a recurrence of problems in his left knee and Achilles and clearly has no idea when and if they will be ever fully cured.

The 35 year old has already undergone four operations on the knee and it is not as though his fitness problems are being caused in an overly freakish way. The injuries are being sustained by what he does to make a living - namely hitting golf shots.

Woods suffered his latest injuries taking an awkward swing playing from pine straw during his third round at the Masters in April. He suffered a minor sprain of medial collateral ligaments in his left knee and a minor sprain of his left Achilles.

These problems prompted him to withdraw from last week's tournament at Quail Hollow and now it has become clear that the difficulties in his left leg are more than "minor".

Read more at BBC Online .....