Former champion Vijay Singh has pulled out of the Masters. The veteran golfer, who has enjoyed some fierce battles with Tiger Woods over the last few decades, has cited injury as his reason for not participating at Augusta when the tournament starts this week.

Singh won the Masters in 2000 but he will not take part this year. Augusta National Golf Club says the Fijian informed the competition committee of his withdrawal on Monday. The nature of his injury is undisclosed. He has become the 17th former champion to not take part in the Masters this year.

In 2000, Singh won the Masters by three strokes to beat Ernie Els. The 62-year-old finished in the top eight in six of his seven starts at Augusta between 2000 and 2006.

This year was set to be Singh's 32nd start at the Masters. However, his withdrawal means there will be 95 players in the field for the 89th edition of the first major championship of the golf season.

Twelve months ago, Singh made the cut aged 61 and tied for 58th at 14-over. This will be the first time since 1994 that the Masters field will not feature Singh, who also won the PGA Championship twice at the height of his career in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Golf icon Woods was always expected to miss the Masters. Last month, the 49-year-old ruptured his Achilles while ramping up his training in preparation for his return to the tour. He underwent successful surgery to repair the tendon but he does not expect to return for several months. His recovery could even extend into 2026.

Speculation has been rife over whether Woods will attend the Champions Dinner. He has not confirmed whether he will be present at Augusta.

The Champions Dinner will toast to Scottie Scheffler's victory last year. Scheffler is also among the favourites for the upcoming edition of the tournament, but faces a tough field which also consists of LIV Golf stars hoping to prove themselves among PGA regulars.

Fans are eagerly anticipating Rory McIlroy's performance at Augusta. The Northern Irishman has notoriously found the course difficult and it remains the only major championship that he has not won.

Having failed to win any kind of major since 2014, McIlroy will be desperate to complete the career slam. The 35-year-old's form has been excellent and he recently won the coveted Players Championship.

The Masters begins on Thursday.