Tiger Woods of the U.S. reacts after hitting his second shot on the ninth hole during first round play of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida May 12, 2011. Tiger Woods’ troubles continued as he withdrew from the Players Championship on Thursday through injury after slipping to six over par after the opening nine holes. © Reuters

BEIJING, June 8 — Fourteen-time major champion Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will not play in next week’s US Open golf tournament.

It will be the first US Open Woods has missed since 1994 when he completed high school.

“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the US Open, but it’s time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future,” Woods wrote in a posting on his website.

“I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed. I hope to be ready for AT&T National (in July), the next two majors and the rest of the year,” he added.

Woods suffered a sprained left knee and strained left Achilles tendon in April. The injuries have prevented him from putting in the practice time he needs to prepare for the US Open.

Last month, Woods withdrew in pain from US PGA Players Championship after completing only nine holes.

The 111th US Open will begin on June 16 at Congressional Country Club, the suburban Washington.

Woods has won three US Open championships.

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2011-06/08/c_13916965.htm