In a huge boost to Tiger Woods and also saving embarrassment to event organisers, the former World No. 1 has qualified to compete in his own event – the Chevron World Challenge.
With the release of the updated rankings Woods, despite slipping three places to 49th in the world, is eligible to compete under a sponsor’s invitation in the event being played from December 1st to 4th at the Sherwood Country Club course outside LA.
Tiger Woods now confirmed as eligible for the Chevron World Challenge. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
There were big fears Woods, a winner of the event on four occasions between 2001 and 2007, would not qualify under the rules of the tournament.
Associated Press is reporting the event was allowed in 2009 to offer world ranking points, provided it had only two sponsor exemptions and both were among the top-50 in the world.
But while Woods has a tournament date in December he still has not qualified for November’s WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.
At this stage his only confirmed world ranking points scoring events are the frys.com Open starting October 6th in San Martin, California, and the November 10th commencing Australian Open in Sydney.
It will be Woods’ first visit to Sydney since his debut Australian appearance at the 1996 Australian Open also in Sydney, and where he finished fourth to Greg Norman.
However while the tournament host will tee-up in the Chevron World Challenge, defending champion Graeme McDowell has elected not to contest the tournament.
McDowell, as the reigning U.S. Open champion, shocked Woods in coming from behind to win his fifth tournament of 2010.
