Tiger Woods is set to miss next week's Mercedes Championship in Hawaii, leaving the PGA Tour's season-opening event without two of the world's top three players.

Third-ranked Phil Mickelson, the US Masters champion, has not played in the winners-only tournament since 2001 and also announced earlier that he would not be at Kapalua from January 4-7.

World number one Woods will miss the event for the second year in a row, and for the third time in his career.

"I considered playing next week...but I just haven't been able to prepare," Woods said in a statement on Friday. "I usually spend at least one week working on my game before a tournament and have been unable to do that this year."

Champion at Kapalua in 2000, Woods has spent the last 12 days in Colorado skiing with family and friends.

The 12-times major winner, who has triumphed in his last six PGA Tour appearances, will return to action for his title defense at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines from January 25-28.

GOOD SUCCESS

"I've had good success there, winning four times and I am the two-time defending champion," Woods added. "More importantly it will give me much needed extra time with my family."

Woods's absence from the Kapalua Resort next week will dull the shine off the PGA Tour's much-trumpeted 'new era'.

The Mercedes Championship launches the inaugural FedExCup, a season-long points competition that will culminate in a four-event playoff series and allowing the overall champion to get a healthy $10 million.

"Hopefully everyone will understand," Woods said. "This was a tough decision because Gary Planos and his staff at Kapalua Resort always do such a great job with the event."

The Mercedes Championship, being held at Kapalua for the eighth season in a row, brings together all the winners from the previous PGA Tour season.

Australia's Stuart Appleby, who edged out Vijay Singh in a playoff for this year's title, will be bidding for a fourth consecutive victory at the Plantation Course.

(CRI via Reuters December 30, 2006)