Tiger Woods, coming back this week at the Players Championship after a knee injury, said on Tuesday that his ongoing 18-month victory drought has lasted longer than he expected.

Woods practised over the front nine at the TPC Sawgrass layout and will tee off for his first competitive round since last month's Masters on Thursday morning at 8:08 alongside Germany's Martin Kaymer and American Matt Kuchar.

World No 8 Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the all-time record of 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, has not won since his infamous sex scandal was revealed in November of 2009.

"There were some down times," Woods said. "This one has lasted longer than I would have expected. But you keep on playing, keep working hard and get through it."

Woods suffered a setback in that cause when he suffered a a sprained left knee ligament and strained left Achilles tendon while playing at the Masters last month. He shared fourth for the second year in a row, matching his best showing since the scandal erupted.