War fears force Woods to miss Gulf trip

As Tiger Woods contested the final of the Accenture World Matchplay at La Costa against David Toms yesterday, the organisers of this week's Dubai Desert Classic announced that the world No 1 has postponed his return to the Gulf until next year.

Woods was due to head the field at the European Tour event in the United Arab Emirates, along with the defending champion and world No 2, Ernie Els. The South African decided on Friday to travel to the Middle East where he will be joined by half the European Ryder Cup team.

Despite some withdrawals, including Colin Montgomerie and Nick Faldo, the organisers have had no problem in filling the 150-man field. Neither Woods nor Els were due to play in the Qatar Masters in Doha on 13 to 16 March. Despite Foreign Office advice against "non-essential" travel to Qatar that event is also due to go ahead as planned.

Woods first played in the Gulf two years ago when he was runner-up in the Dubai Classic, losing at the 72nd hole to Thomas Bjorn. Reputedly on an appearance fee of around $2.5m, Woods has already agreed to play in the tournament next year. "Although I originally intended to play this week, I have reluctantly decided to postpone my appearance until next year," Woods said. "The organisers have been extremely co-operative and supportive and I appreciate their understanding. They offered tremendous support and security for this proposed trip. However, for the foreseeable future, I felt it would be prudent to avoid international travel."

With the military build-up in the Gulf before a possible war with Iraq, Woods was always a doubtful starter for the Dubai event, particularly given his high profile.

The Accenture World Matchplay was only Woods' third tournament after knee surgery and he ended up playing seven rounds in five days by reaching the final but there is no one fitter in the game. Toms, who suffered from food poisoning earlier in the week, had maybe finally run out of steam as Woods went four-up at lunch in the 36-hole match.

The only notable moment from Woods' point of view came at the ninth when he took three putts for only his second bogey of the week, the first having come at the same hole in the same manner in the third round.

Woods had his hardest contest in the semi-finals when he was taken to the 19th by the impressive 22-year-old Adam Scott. The Australian matched the world No 1 in every department, bar that of holing out from four to six feet. Scott missed four such putts, including one that, sadly, ended the match. "I felt I lifted my game for the occasion and gave him a good shot," said Scott. "But he is just that good."