War threat keeps Tiger at bay from Dubai event

TIGER WOODS finally gave the answer to the question he has been asked all week last night – and the answer was that he will not be playing in the Dubai Desert Classic starting on Thursday.

The world number one, who had been offered a reported $2 million (£1.27million) to return to the event in which he finished second to Thomas Bjorn two years ago, has decided against the trip as war looms with Iraq.

On Friday defending champion Ernie Els, the world number two, said he would be playing.