GOLF: Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week's Dubai Desert Classic. The announcement was made as the American was playing in the final of the Accenture World Match Play Championship in California against his fellow countryman David Toms.
Woods said: "I feel that for the foreseeable future it would be most prudent to avoid international travel."
Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood will be competing alongside Ernie Els, but have pulled out of the following week's Qatar Masters, as have defending champion Adam Scott and a host of others. Padraig Harrington plays in both events.
In Saturday's quarter-final matches, Woods beat fellow American Scott Hoch 5 and 4, Scott beat American Jay Haas 2 and 1, Lonard stopped Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke 2 up, while Toms ousted American Jerry Kelly 4 and 3.
Lonard won the match when Clarke missed a 25-foot putt on the 18th hole. But he had to come from behind for the victory. He was three down after eight holes before birdies on the 10th and 11th holes helped him climb back into the match.
Woods had to go to the 19th to beat Scott in the semi-final while Toms got through on the 18th as Lonard made a late charge that just came up short when the American holed from 10 feet.
In the final Woods held a two- hole advanatge after 27 holes.
Graeme McDowell, meanwhile,shot a disappointing 75 in the final round of the Tuscon Open to finish on six under par 282. McDowell was well in the hunt for a top 10 finish after a third 65 left him in 15th place after three rounds.
The Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team salvaged a degree of respectability when they won six of the 10 singles matches yesterday in the club professionals' version of the Ryder Cup near West Palm Beach, Florida.
Having already lost the overall match before the singles began - the USA had an unbeatable overnight lead of 15 points to one - the top order of the British and Irish side won the opening three ties.
Ireland's two team members, John Dwyer (Ashbourne) and Brendan McGovern (Headfort), both suffered defeat. Dwyer lost to Alan Morin 3 and 2 while McGovern went down 4 and 3 to to Rob Labritz.
Scotland's Mhairi McKay scored her first professional victory as a disappointed Laura Davies had to settle for second best in the Australian Open at Terrey Hills near Sydney.
McKay, four behind Davies at the start of the final round, surged through the field with a superb five-under-par 67 for an 11-under 277 total and pipped herSolheim Cup teammate by a shot.
"This is a dream come true," said McKay, who has four second places
"It's something I've
wanted all my life and I can hardly believe it."
