Tiger to take a break

Tiger Woods will not play in this week's Chevron World Challenge in California, an event he has hosted for the last nine years.

Following last Friday's car crash outside of his home in Florida, the world number one has announced that he will be forced to withdraw from the World Challenge tournament.

Woods has also revealed he will not play in any further tournaments in 2009 - a year in which he failed to win a major but did top the FedEx Cup standings and claimed $10.5m in prize money.

The 14-time Major winner said on his official website: "I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week. I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I'm very sorry that I can't be there."

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will replace Woods in the 18-man field for this week's tournament - which starts on Thursday at the Sherwood Country Club.