“Due to injuries sustained in a one-car accident last week, Tiger Woods will be unable to play in the 2009 Chevron World Challenge,” adding that Woods also “will not participate in any other tournaments in 2009 and will return to action next year.”
“I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week,” Woods said in the statement. “I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I’m very sorry that I can’t be there.”
The tournament, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, issued a statement saying that Woods canceled a pre-tournament news conference that was scheduled for Tuesday at the Sherwood Country Club. As I mentioned above there was just no way Tiger was going to play in a tournament right now with his current state of affairs, but I wouldn’t dismiss the significance of his injuries.
According to a TMZ eye witness to the aftermath of the accident: “Tiger was laying on the ground unconscious when EMT workers arrived. They used “pain stimulus” — a method where pressure is applied on an unconscious person to make them alert — but Tiger only briefly opened his eyes and then lost consciousness.”
So far Woods’ major endorsers, including Nike, Gatorade and Gillette, lined up on Monday to state their support, as you would expect given the money he makes for their brands. But sponsors are a fickle bunch so if the going starts getting real tough well see how quick they are to bail. I don’t really expect that to happen though, as long as the alleged mistress, Rachel Uchitel, doesn’t back the National Enquirer’s story despite any proof they might have. I think Tiger is surrounded by a team that will help him navigate through these rough seas otherwise.
