Woods won’t
play in Sony

KAPALUA, Maui -- Tiger Woods will not be playing in next week's inaugural Sony Open in Hawaii after all.

The world's top-ranked golfer could have added his name to the list up to a half-hour after the end of yesterday's second round of the Mercedes Championships, but opted not to, according to PGA Tour media official Lee Patterson.

''I spoke with him out on the practice green just a few minutes ago and he didn't say anything about adding him to the list,'' Patterson said. ''To my knowledge, he's only done that one time.''

Woods and close friend Mark O'Meara began today's third round tied for 12th at 8-under. While O'Meara is one of 20 players from this week's elite field scheduled to play at Waialae Country Club, Woods is one of the 10 who won't.

Neither is second-round leader David Duval. Last year's leading money winner on the PGA Tour will go skiing in Idaho, instead. The Sony Open is one of only two West Coast events Duval doesn't plan to play.

The other eight golfers here skipping the event are Michael Bradley, Mark Calcavecchia, Fred Couples, J.P. Hayes, Justin Leonard, Billy Mayfair, Phil Mickelson and Steve Pate.

''Having 20 of the 30 players here going over to Oahu is really good,'' Patterson said. ''It looks like it's going to be a strong field.''

O'Meara, who was the 1998 PGA Tour Player of the Year, will be next week's headline act. The Orlando, Fla., resident won The Masters and the British Open last year, becoming the first player to capture two majors in the same season since Nick Price turned the trick in 1994.

Joining O'Meara are last year's U.S. Open champion, Lee Janzen, and PGA Championship winner, Vijay Singh, who is tied for second in this week's Mercedes Championships. Defending Hawaiian Open winner John Huston will also be making the trip.

Other notables in next week's Sony Open field are former PGA and British Open champion John Daly, 1996 U.S. Open champ Steve Jones, 1997 PGA titleholder Davis Love III, 1987 Masters winner Larry Mize, 1995 U.S. Open champ Corey Pavin, 1987 U.S. Open titleholder Scott Simpson, 1988 PGA champ Jeff Sluman, two-time U.S. Open winner Curtis Strange and 1977 PGA winner Lanny Wadkins.

Tom Watson, who has eight majors to his credit, could be making his last trip to Waialae. The 49-year-old will be eligible to join the Senior Tour on Sept. 4.

SOMETHING TO SINGH ABOUT: Singh shot a blistering 8-under 65 and still lost two strokes to second-round leader Duval, who tied the course record with a 63.

Singh is in a second-place tie at 11-under with Mayfair and Fred Funk. The threesome is five strokes off Duval's pace, but that's OK with Singh. He believes he's playing well enough to win it.

''I hit the ball better today, hit closer shots to the green,'' said Singh, who opened with a so-so 70. ''A lot of my birdies were very close in because a lot of shots were very close to the hole. Very good iron play, I think.''

Singh is fresh off his best year ever. Not only did he win his first major title at the 1998 PGA Championship, he also came back to take the Sprint International the following weekend. He was the only back-to-back winner in 1998. He was second to Duval last year in Tour earnings with $2.2 million.

''I think every year you've got to take it as its own,'' Singh said. ''I've prepared for this year very well, you know, physically, and my mental side. Obviously, I've got a lot of confidence coming in from finishing second on the money list.''

NOT SO TOUGH: With a gentle Kona breeze in the face of the players, the last two holes proved to be the most difficult in Thursday's opening round. It was a little different yesterday after the trades made an appearance on the sprawling Plantation Course.

Holes No. 17 and No. 18 tied for fifth yesterday. The 30 players averaged 3.9 strokes on the par-4 17th after needing 4.7 on Thursday. The par-5 663-yard 18th was the toughest hole during the opening round.

The players averaged 6.2 strokes against the wind and 4.9 yesterday with it. The most difficult hole in the second round was the par 4 seventh. Players averaged 4.17 shots. There were no birdies, 25 pars and five bogeys on the 484-yard hole.

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By Paul Arnett