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Injured Tiger checks out for the year
Tiger Woods withdrew on Monday from a tournament to benefit his charity foundation as he continued to lie low more than three days after a car crash that has caused a media storm.
Tiger Woods withdrew on Monday from a tournament to benefit his charity foundation as he continued to lie low more than three days after a car crash that has caused a media storm.
In a statement on his website, Woods said he would miss the Chevron World Challenge that opens on Thursday in suburban Los Angeles due to injuries suffered in the car accident early on Friday morning near his Florida home.
Woods, 33, was not specific about his injuries in his latest statement.
“I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week,” Woods said. “I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I'm very sorry that I can't be there.”
Woods also called off a press conference scheduled for Tuesday at the tournament, ending hopes he might use it to offer more details about the crash and seek to end a flurry of media speculation.
The 14-time Major winner, four shy of the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus, has refused to speak with police regarding the accident.
The 18-man Challenge field includes South Korean Yang Yong-Eun, who defeated Woods in a head-to-head battle to win this year's PGA Championship, becoming the first Asian to win a Major title by denying Woods a 15th Major crown.
“We support Tiger's decision and are confident the strong field and excellent course will provide an exciting week of competition,” said Greg McLaughlin, president and chief executive of the Tiger Woods Foundation.
Sponsors back Tiger
Woods received support from sponsors Nike and Gatorade but marketing experts urged the world's number one golfer to divulge more about last week's car accident. “Tiger and his family have Nike's full support,” Nike said in a statement. “We respect Tiger's request for privacy and our thoughts are with Tiger and his family at this time.” “Our partnership with Tiger continues,” Gatorade said in a statement. “We wish Tiger well as he recovers and look forward to seeing him back on the course soon.”
Whether linked to cars or razors or events with his own line of sports drink, the Woods name has become a brand that has excited sponsors and lured huge viewership to golf tournaments in which he plays.
Woods received more than $105 million in sponsorship deals last year, more than twice as much as his nearest rival sport endorser, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I suspect he is relatively bullet-proof at this point,” Larry McCarthy, an associate professor of sports marketing at Seton Hall University's Centre for Sport Management, told the Los Angeles Times.
“Even if he has been involved in something, we tend to forgive and forget when it comes to the behaviour of athletes,” McCarthy said, although “the more you stonewall these things, the longer they tend to drag on.”
