Five players WD from opening round at TPC Sawgrass

• By Ryan Ballengee
• May 10, 2012 7:09 PM ET

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Tiger Woods has taken a lot of flak for withdrawing from The Players Championship in each of the last two years. Five other players withdrew from the PGA Tour's crown jewel on Thursday for myriad reasons.

Angel Cabrera withdrew for personal reasons, likely because he made a nine on the par-3 17th en route to 6-over 78. Four others, however, pulled out because of injury. 

D.A. Points had back problems during his warm-up this morning. He visited the physio trailer 25 minutes before his tee time, hoping treatment was enough to play. When he took a few practice swings on the first tee before his turn to play, however, he decided he could not go. After the last-minute withdrawal, Points was eventually replaced in the field by Brian Harman, who shot 1-over 73.

While Points came from his playoff loss in Charlotte, Simon Dyson made the long trip to Florida from Spain, site of last week's European Tour event. Like Points, his back was hurting him on the range, but fought through it to shoot 76. He decided one round was enough.

Hunter Haas also cited a back injury, playing three holes before ending his week prematurely.

Paul Casey made it nine holes before withdrawing. He shot 6-over 42 on the front side then pulled out, citing a nagging shoulder injury he suffered while snowboarding in the off season.