Golf:Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the Chevron World Challenge – his own event – after he was injured in a car crash last Friday. Graeme McDowell will take the world number one's place and becomes the second Irishman, alongside Pádraig Harrington, to tee it up in the 18-man invitational which carries world ranking points.
Woods is tournament host for the event but the 14-time major winner released a statement on his website tonight to confirm he will miss the event in California.
“I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week,” said Woods, who had been due to hold a press conference tomorrow. “I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I’m very sorry that I can’t be there.”
Harrington was already in the field but McDowell was a late replacement after he made his way to the States for next week's Shark Shootout after finishing runner-up to Italy in the World Cup in China yesterday when playing alongside Rory McIlroy.
McDowell's manager at Horizon Sports Management, Conor Ridge, received a call before the final round of the World Cup at Mission Hills to have his player on standby to fill in for Woods.
The late call-up for is a welcome boost for the 30-year-old who dropped to 55th in the latest world rankings. The Portrush professional needs to return to the top 50 by year's end to receive an invite to the Masters in April, the first major of the 2010 season. The field at Sherwood Country Club features three of this year's major winners.
Earlier in the day, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) had distanced themselves from reports that they are seeking search warrants for medical records relating to Woods’ facial injuries he sustained in the car crash.
Speculation continued as to the events that led to golf’s world number one crashing his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant outside his Windermere, Florida, house and then a neighbour’s tree, an accident in the early hours of Friday that led to Woods being treated in hospital for facial lacerations.
Woods issued a statement taking full responsibility for the accident but denied Florida Highway Patrol troopers an interview for the third day in a row and engaged high-profile Orlando defence attorney Mark NeJame to represent him as the crash investigation continued.
Today, reports surfaced that an FHP source had said the investigating officers were applying for a search warrant to obtain hospital records of Woods’ treatment at Ocoee Hospital.
A police statement, however, dismissed the suggestion.
“As of November 30th, 2009, the Florida Highway Patrol has been unable to speak to Mr Woods about the crash he was involved in on the morning of November 27th, 2009, despite attempts to do so,” the statement read.
“Mr Woods’ representatives have provided us with his driver licence information, vehicle registration and current proof of insurance, as required by Florida Law.
“Contrary to various media reports, the Florida Highway Patrol has not made any comments regarding the details of the ongoing crash investigation involving Tiger Woods as it relates to medical information, or any other aspect of this investigation.
“The crash investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.”
