"Unfortunately, I've been advised that I should not play in the British Open," Woods said. "As I stated at the AT&T National, I am only going to come back when I'm 100 percent ready. I do not want to risk further injury. That's different for me, but I'm being smarter this time. I'm very disappointed and want to express my regrets to the British Open fans."

Woods, currently ranked 17th in the world, personally contacted Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A which organises the British Open, to explain his reasons for pulling out.

He has been suffering from knee and Achilles tendon injuries and missed last month's U.S. Open.