McDowell to replace Woods at Chevron World Challenge

World Number One's withdrawal opens the door for Northern Irishman at exclusive California event

Graeme McDowell
Alex Narey
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published

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will replace Tiger Woods at this week's Chevron World Challenge in California following the world number one's withdrawal from the exclusive limited field event.

Woods said injuries sustained in a car accident on Friday morning have forced him to pull out. The 33-year-old was found semi-conscious with facial injuries after his car reportedly hit a fire hydrant and tree.

"I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week," Woods said in a statement on his official website.

"I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I'm very sorry that I can't be there."

Woods also confirmed he will not participate in any further tournaments in 2009, although next official PGA Tour event does not take place until the new year.

The World Challenge starts on Thursday at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California.

On his inclusion, McDowell's management team commented: "We were in touch with the event organisers at the Tiger Woods Foundation yesterday while at Mission Hills in China, during Graeme's final round at the World Cup with Irish teammate Rory McIlroy".

"They informed us that there was a possibility that Tiger may withdraw from this week's tournament, and asked if Graeme would be prepared to potentially accept a late invitation, should a spot in the exclusive 18-man field become available".

McDowell today accepted an invitation to play in the 2009 Chevron World Challenge following Tiger's announcement that he will now not be competing at Sherwood Country Club this week.

Although the $5.75m (£3.495m) tournament is not an official PGA Tour event, it features 12 of the world's top 20 players. 

Alex Narey
Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.

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