Lesser lights get chance to shine as big names shun PGA opener

IN THE absence of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, the game's lesser lights have a chance to make an impact this week at the PGA Tour's season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii.

World number two Vijay Singh, who faded to fifth in last year's tournament after leading for the first three days, is the only member of the world's top five in the elite field at the Kapalua Resort.

Top-ranked Woods, champion in 1997 and 2000, has decided to skip his usual early-season event to spend more time at home after playing a full schedule last year.