Associated Press
Friday, March 23

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – David Duval withdrew from The Players Championship on Thursday because of tendinitis in his right wrist, an injury that might also jeopardize his chances of playing in The Masters.

	Duval

Duval won the Players two years ago and replaced Tiger Woods as No. 1 in the world rankings, but he has won only two tournaments since while battling health problems and other distractions.

"I am certainly disappointed I can not play," Duval said in a statement. "The Players Championship is very special to me and it is very frustrating not to be able to compete. However, I need to get this wrist healed and to do so, I must take some time off."

Duval injured the wrist two weeks ago while trying to refine his swing for this important stretch of golf -- the $6 million Players in his hometown and the Masters, where he has contended the past three years.

He withdrew from the Bay Hill Invitational last week and played only three holes of a practice round Wednesday with Woods and Mark O'Meara before saying he felt pain in his wrist and decided not to push it.

"It's not good," he said after going home.

Duval said he had an MRI Wednesday to determine if there was ligament damage and that "confirmed that nothing was wrong. It is tendinitis."

It was the third time he has withdrawn from a tournament this year. He skipped the Nissan Open, saying he was mentally fatigued from his worst start in five years.

Duval, now No. 7 in the world, missed 10 weeks last year after injuring his back. He returned to win the Buick Challenge, and was the key player in teaming with Woods to win the World Cup in Argentina.

But the new season began amid distractions when Duval ended his relationship with Titleist and the company sued for breach of contract because there were three years left on the deal. Duval later filed a counterclaim.

He signed a four-year deal worth about $28 million with Nike earlier this month, and is the first player to use Nike prototype irons on the PGA Tour.

Duval also had planned to play in the BellSouth Classic next week in Atlanta, where he is a past champion, saying he needed to be tested before arriving at Augusta National. That, too, is now in doubt.

Earlier in the week, Duval said he would take a cortisone shot "as a last resort" to play in the Masters.

Duval did not speculate on future tournaments. He will consult with doctors this week and next "about the best course of therapy for the wrist and look forward to being back in action as soon as possible."

Duval was not replaced in the field.

Chris Perry also withdrew Thursday because of a stomach ailment. Perry's spot was not filled because none of the 10 alternates were at the Stadium Course to take his 7 a.m. starting time. By rule, all 10 were disqualified and unable to replace anyone else who backed out.