BETHESDA, Md., May 29 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods will be absent when the $3.6 million Kemper Open begins Thursday at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel in Bethesda, Md.
Early last week Woods said he was "50-50" about playing this event, but never made a commitment and will instead take an extended break before the U.S. Open begins June 13 in Farmingdale, N.Y.
The world's best player had a disappointing performance last week at The Memorial, where he tied for 22nd and will also skip next week's Buick Classic.
"We're disappointed," admitted Kemper General Chairman Pete Cleaves. "It's important for any tournament to have the top money winners and the marquee names."
The Kemper will be missing most of them as only two of the top-10 money winners on the PGA Tour, Jose Maria Olazabal and Chris DiMarco, will be participating.
Olazabal is enjoying his best year on the PGA Tour since 1994, when he finished seventh on the money list. He ranks fourth this year in earnings, having posted seven top-10 finishes in
nine starts.
DiMarco has five top-10 finishes in 14 starts to rank eighth on the money list.
Jim Furyk, who ended Woods' three-year stanglehold at The Memorial last week by rallying from a five-stroke deficit to post a two-shot victory, is also participating. He shot a final round seven-under-par 65 to record a 72-hole total of 14-under 274 after missing the cut in four of his previous six starts.
This tournament has produced first-time PGA Tour winners each of the last three years -- Rich Beem, Tom Scherrer and Frank Lickliter III.
Lickliter III birdied the final hole to post a one-stroke victory over J.J. Henry for his first and only career title last year.
The par-71 TPC at Avenel is a 7,005-yard layout. First prize is $648,000.
