Golf: Woods dismisses crisis talk

Tiger Woods has shrugged off talk of a slump despite failing to win a tournament so far in 2001.

He resumes his season on the US Tour on Thursday with a defence of the Bay Hill Invitational in Florida.

After last year's record-breaking nine victories, Woods' top-10 finishes so far this season have led to some observers remarking on a crisis in form.

But Woods has dismissed such comments, pointing out that his scoring average in 2001 is lower than it was at this stage last year.

He said: "It's annoying because of the fact that if you think that way, then you really don't understand the game of golf.

"Six tournaments isn't that many tournaments. The only problem is I just haven't got the right breaks at the right time, and you need to have that in order to win."

In his last tournament, the Dubai Desert Classic, Woods squandered victory when he double-bogeyed the final hole, allowing Denmark's Thomas Bjorn to claim victory.

He added: "Did it sting? Oh yes, it did, there's no denying that. When you have a chance of winning and don't win, obviously it doesn't feel good."

Woods will be hoping to open his account this season at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, near his home in Orlando.

Last year he won the tournament by four strokes after a final-round tussle with Davis Love III.

Meanwhile, David Duval and Bjorn have both withdrawn from this year's event.

Duval has wrist problems while the Dane has transportation problems from Europe.