Tiger Woods has had to withdraw from the Players' Championship with a neck injury, it has been revealed.

Woods, who recently made his comeback to competition after taking a break to deal with much-publicised issues in his personal life, played seven holes of the final round before pulling out, complaining that the pain was too much to allow him to continue.

Revealing that he has been in pain for a month, he commented: "I have been playing through it. I can't play through it any more."

The player suggested it is possible he has a bulging disc and his fitness for the next two majors could be in doubt.

Sufferers from back and neck pain may find that using an ultrasound probe helps to ease discomfort.

Writing an article for the Winnipeg Free Press this week, medical expert Dr Maureen Kennedy said that golfers are most vulnerable to lower back injuries, with this often being caused by the biomechanic action of a poor swing.