Golf : Temperature proves too hot for Woods

Thailand's heat proved too much for Tiger Woods yesterday, forcing him to withdraw from the pro-am round of the Asian Honda Classic after 13 holes.

"It's heat exhaustion," Peter German, tournament director for the event, which begins today, confirmed. He said the American had decided to pull out when temperatures of 33C had an adverse effect on him.

Until his abrupt retirement, Woods, who has a Thai mother, was followed round the course by a crowd of excited fans. Although the 21-year-old has only been to Thailand three times and speaks virtually nothing of the language, Thai people consider him to be one of their own.