Justin Rose withdraws from Honda Classic with shoulder injury

England's US Open champion Justin Rose has withdrawn from this week's Honda Classic in Florida because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Six of the world's top eight players, including world number one Tiger Woods, are set to tee off on Thursday.

But 33-year-old Rose has been battling with the problem all season.

A statement from Rose's team said he needed time off because "scheduling four straight weeks of competition was an aggressive start to the season".

The world number six originally hurt his shoulder last August but his team said that his "rehabilitation continues".

Rose played in the last two PGA Tour events, tying for 45th in the Northern Trust Open two weeks ago, before losing to Ernie Els in the second round of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship last week.

He still is hopeful for next week's World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral, where he won two years ago.

In addition to Woods, the Honda Classic field also includes Australian world number two Adam Scott, Sweden's Henrik Stenson (three), Phil Mickelson (five), Zach Johnson (seven) and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (eight).