Tiger Woods thanks supporters of his Thousand Oaks tournament
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As golfers began the final round of Tiger Woods’ charity tournament today in Thousand Oaks, Woods issued a statement on his website thanking the event’s organizers and sponsors and again apologized for withdrawing from the tournament.
‘I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to everyone affiliated with the event,’ Woods said, adding that was ‘sincerely sorry I was unable to fulfill my duties as host and player in this important event.’
The tournament, called the Chevron World Challenge, benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. Woods withdrew from the event last week as his problems exploded into a global media sensation.
It was Woods’ first statement since the one he issued Wednesday when, amid widespread reports of alleged extramarital affairs, he acknowledged making ‘transgressions’ and apologized for ‘letting my family down.’
On the golf course, meanwhile, a four-way tie for the lead developed early in today’s final round of the tournament with Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Jim Furyk all at nine under par. McDowell was a last-minute addition to the tournament after Woods withdrew.
Harrington and Westwood, playing together, both eagled the par-five second hole.
Y.E. Yang and Ian Poulter were another shot back at eight under par at Sherwood Country Club, and Zach Johnson made an eagle and four birdies in the opening seven holes to reach seven under and jump back into contention.
-- Jim Peltz