Woods pulls out from his own event
Source: Agencies |
December 2, 2009, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FACING public scrutiny over a car crash that sent him to the hospital and raised questions, speculation and innuendo about how it happened, Tiger Woods withdrew from the Chevron World Challenge on Monday, citing injuries.
The Tiger Woods Foundation board met as it does every year at Sherwood Country Club. Merchandise was on sale just outside the clubhouse, with large photos of Woods hanging from brick walls. Everything was in place at his year-end tournament - except for him.
His news conference was canceled in an announcement posted on his Website as questions kept growing about Woods driving his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree at 2:25am on Friday.
Even as players in the 18-man field began to arrive - Graeme McDowell, a Ryder Cup player from Northern Ireland replaced Woods - it was clear Sherwood would be more quiet than ever, just like its host.
Asked to sum up the mood for the week, Padraig Harrington said, "I don't think anyone knows."
Harrington wasn't sure how much it would affect the tournament except for the obvious.
"The more we play and compete with Tiger, the better," he said. "But it's not going to take away from the winner enjoying his win," he said. "I think come Sunday afternoon on the back nine, the focus will be on the tournament. Up until that point, Tiger will be talked about, and he will be missed."
John Daly encouraged Woods to end the speculation.
"The thing that Tiger needs to look at is, whatever happened, just tell the truth," Daly said from the Australian Open.
Tournament officials said fans who bought advance tickets with the hope of seeing Woods could get refunds beginning next week. Those who keep their tickets will get a 20 percent discount when they buy them next year.
Last tournament
The tournament was to be the last of the year for Woods anyway, and he did not say when or where he would make his return next year.
He has made his season debut at Torrey Pines every year since 2006. The San Diego Invitational this year is scheduled the week of January 25. That could mean Woods avoids the media for 10 weeks.
Woods has said the accident was his fault and asked that it remain "a private matter." But with the Florida Highway Patrol still investigating and the media in full pursuit, he might not get his way.
The reference to "false, unfounded and malicious rumors" in Sunday's statement may have involved a story published last week in the National Enquirer alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York nightclub hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters.
Woods even faced questions from fans who left comments on his Website. Most voiced support for him, but some said he should address the questions about his own actions and those of his wife, Elin Nordegren, before and after the accident.
The Tiger Woods Foundation board met as it does every year at Sherwood Country Club. Merchandise was on sale just outside the clubhouse, with large photos of Woods hanging from brick walls. Everything was in place at his year-end tournament - except for him.
His news conference was canceled in an announcement posted on his Website as questions kept growing about Woods driving his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree at 2:25am on Friday.
Even as players in the 18-man field began to arrive - Graeme McDowell, a Ryder Cup player from Northern Ireland replaced Woods - it was clear Sherwood would be more quiet than ever, just like its host.
Asked to sum up the mood for the week, Padraig Harrington said, "I don't think anyone knows."
Harrington wasn't sure how much it would affect the tournament except for the obvious.
"The more we play and compete with Tiger, the better," he said. "But it's not going to take away from the winner enjoying his win," he said. "I think come Sunday afternoon on the back nine, the focus will be on the tournament. Up until that point, Tiger will be talked about, and he will be missed."
John Daly encouraged Woods to end the speculation.
"The thing that Tiger needs to look at is, whatever happened, just tell the truth," Daly said from the Australian Open.
Tournament officials said fans who bought advance tickets with the hope of seeing Woods could get refunds beginning next week. Those who keep their tickets will get a 20 percent discount when they buy them next year.
Last tournament
The tournament was to be the last of the year for Woods anyway, and he did not say when or where he would make his return next year.
He has made his season debut at Torrey Pines every year since 2006. The San Diego Invitational this year is scheduled the week of January 25. That could mean Woods avoids the media for 10 weeks.
Woods has said the accident was his fault and asked that it remain "a private matter." But with the Florida Highway Patrol still investigating and the media in full pursuit, he might not get his way.
The reference to "false, unfounded and malicious rumors" in Sunday's statement may have involved a story published last week in the National Enquirer alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York nightclub hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters.
Woods even faced questions from fans who left comments on his Website. Most voiced support for him, but some said he should address the questions about his own actions and those of his wife, Elin Nordegren, before and after the accident.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
