PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem has found himself having to defend whether or not he pressured Woods to contest the Players Championship.

Tim Finchem says it's 'ludicrous' he pressured an injured Tiger Woods to tee up at Sawgrass.

Finchem’s long been renowned for having trouble playing a straight bat when it comes to issues affecting the Tour but he found himself right on the back foot and having to defend himself after Tour’s ‘cash cow’ hobbled off after nine holes.

“It’s always important for Tiger to be a part of the Tour, because he’s Tiger Woods, but the idea that we would pressure him to play is ludicrous,” said Finchem.

“We don’t pressure any player to play the tournament.

“In this case, the suggestion is somehow he was hurt and we got him to play anyway. Tiger doesn’t enter a tournament unless he thinks he can win.”

But while there’s suggestions Woods is in doubt for next month’s U.S. Open at Congressional, Finchem’s unconcerned Woods may be again side-lined for a further lengthy period.

“I’m not worried,” said Finchem.

“I hope he’s healthy enough to play. Just look at it from the health of the Tour standpoint. If he’s an active player it helps us out a lot. 

“He doesn’t have to come back and dominate like he did. He needs to play. My concern is where are his injuries going to go?

“He doesn’t know what the answer will be and we won’t know for a while.”