Tiger plays safe and withdraws from Dubai Classic

I’LL be there if I can walk, if I can play golf, I’ll be there — the reassuring words yesterday of Tiger Woods in the immediate aftermath of his decision to withdraw from this week’s Desert Classic in Dubai.

He was responding to a question as to whether he would play in the British Open at Royal St George's in July given the unstable world situation and the prospect that should a war begin in Iraq, it would in all probability carry over into the summer months.

"Obviously, I have to look at playing overseas, especially in that part of the world," he said in reference to Dubai. "It's a little tough for me to go to place like that at present."