Finchem denies Tiger was pressured to play games

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida - US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem denied there was pressure from the tour pushing Tiger Woods into competing at the Players Championship, an event he withdrew from due to injury.

Former World No 1 Woods, who has not won a title in 18 months since his infamous sex scandal erupted, pulled out of the $9.5 million event after nine holes in Thursday's first round due to a sore left knee and Achilles tendon.

"It's always important for Tiger to be a part of the tour because he's Tiger Woods, but the idea that we would pressure him to play is ludicrous," Finchem told CNBC late on Friday. "We don't pressure any player to play the tournament.