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Golf

Woods to miss season-opener

02/01/2007

Golf's world number one Tiger Woods will miss the 2007 PGA Tour curtain-raiser in Hawaii this week.

The 31-year-old joins fellow top names Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els on the sidelines for the Mercedes-Benz Championships, which is an invitational event for PGA tournament winners of the previous season.

However, this year's competition will not feature Woods, who is a top draw player and a crowd-puller, who cited a lack of time off for his withdrawal.

"I considered playing but I just haven't had time to prepare," said the American, who has been spending more time with his family and wife Elin, who is expecting the couple's first child later this year.

"I usually spend at least a week working on my game before a tournament and I have been unable to do that this year."

The defending champion at Kapalua, Stuart Appleby, will be gunning for a fourth-successive title.

The Australian beat Vijay Singh in a play-off last year, and this week revealed that the short holes would be his focus as he looks to repeat that success.

"It's all about scoring well here," he said. "The tournament can be won and lost on the short holes."


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