Harrington understands Woods' move

Padraig Harrington last night defended Tiger Woods’ decision to skip his own tournament following the world number one’s car accident last Friday.

Woods had been set to host and compete in this week’s Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in southern California, an annual event which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation.

The American, however, announced his withdrawal from the 72-hole tournament on Monday, citing the injuries he had sustained in the one-car accident outside his home near Orlando, Florida.

Woods, 33, was left unconscious and needing hospital treatment for facial lacerations after his Cadillac Escalade hit a fire hydrant and then a neighbour’s tree.

He was last night issued with a traffic citation by Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers for careless driving, a violation which carries a maximum fine of $164 (€108) and four penalty points on his licence.

Harrington said: “He was in a car crash and was injured. That’s the fact that’s causing him to not come here and play.

“We know there was a car crash, we know he was injured. I’m sure if I was unconscious for six minutes I wouldn’t be playing golf the following week, it wouldn’t be high on the agenda.”