Nick Watney of America fired up an 8 under par 64 to seize to lead the first round at the Players Championship on Thursday whereas an injured Woods hobbled out of the championship after just nine holes.

An aggravated Woods shot 6 over par leaving into the turn, comprising of a triple-bogey on the 4th hole, but made decision to withdraw from the tournament due to the pain from Achilles tendon injuries and knee.

Without Lee Westwood (world no. 1 ranked) and Rory McIlroy (6th ranked), the championship owed as the informal "fifth major" was without 3 of the top names in golf.

American Lucas Glover came up with a playoff win at the Quail Hollow Championship on Sunday, carried on his form with a 7 under par 65, parting him a shot back of Watney.

Mark O'Meara, a fifty four year old 2 times winner of major, was a more shot back along with David Toms after the pair each carded a 66.

"If you had been looking at past week, you would anticipate Lucas to shoot 7 under but you would not anticipate me to shoot 8 under," Watney asserted, who missed the cut at past week at Quail Hollow. "I think that's what is good about our sport and now I’m actually thrilled for this week."

Watney, winner of the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral in March, began on the back 9 at the TPC Sawgrass and birdied his first 3 holes prior to a double-bogey on the par 4 14th where he came in problem in the rough and 3 putted.