Woods casts doubt over Dubai commitment

Tiger Woods' participation in next week's Dubai Desert Classic remains doubtful.

Tiger Woods' participation in next week's Dubai Desert Classic remains doubtful.

"Any time you go overseas and there's war not too far away, it is a danger," said the world number one before the start of the Accenture World Match Play Championship in California today.

Asked if he had been in touch with the American government Woods said his management company had and when pressed on what advice they had been given answered: "It keeps changing.

"They're giving the politically correct answers to our questions, which is pretty much nondescript."

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The Masters and US Open champion said on Saturday he could leave a decision until the start of next week - if the tournament was still on, which itself remains uncertain - but with the political situation unlikely to change in the next few days a decision could come sooner.

Organisers of the Middle East event were understandably thrilled to have Woods as part of their field, especially with world number two Ernie Els defending his title.

But the prospect of war with Iraq put both that event and the following week's Qatar Masters in jeopardy. Last Friday the British government put Qatar on its list of countries where non-essential journeys were not recommended.

Woods was playing Swede Carl Pettersson in the first round at La Costa today, while Els faced New Zealander Phil Tataurangi.

Els has won four of his five tournament this year, while Woods returned from knee surgery to win the Buick Invitational 10 days ago. To clash in Sunday's final they each have to win five matches.

The two Irish competitors, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, will play South African Tim Clark and American John Cook in their respective first round matches.

PA