<p>Tiger Woods said fatigue was the reason he skipped this week’s World Golf Championship event in China. <br /><br /></p>.<p>As Australian Adam Scott and South African Louis Oosthuizen grabbed the first-round lead at the $7 million event in Shenzhen on Thursday, the 36-year-old Woods was holding a putting clinic for school children in Singapore. <br /><br />The main sponsor had been unhappy Woods and world number one McIlroy chose to miss the World Golf Championship event despite being in the country and playing in a lucrative exhibition event. <br /><br />Woods said he was looking forward to competing in the World Challenge in December, an invitational event he hosts in California, before putting his clubs away for a long rest. <br /><br />“I was tired and doing these things (clinics) are easy. Competing and getting ready for another golf tournament, I just didn’t want to do that,” Woods told reporters at Marina Bay after offering his expertise to 12 selected teenagers. <br /><br />“I’ve got four more rounds at my tournament in LA and I’m done until Abu Dhabi next year so I’m looking forward to having this extended break. This is my off-season now and I’m really looking forward to getting away from it. <br /><br />“Competing and playing golf tournaments after a long schedule, the playoffs, the Ryder Cup and a lot of other tournaments, it’s been a while,” he added of his need for a break after his first full season on Tour since 2005. <br /><br />Woods, winner of 14 majors before his marriage imploded in late 2009, lost to McIlroy by a shot in the exhibition dubbed ‘The duel on the lake’. The American said he was happy with his year after returning from numerous injury problems. <br /><br />“This year, I’ve had three wins and things are certainly progressing nicely,” said Woods, who has been plagued by knee, back and Achilles injuries in recent years. <br /><br />“Last year I was 127th on the (PGA Tour) money list, or whatever I was, and this year I’m second so that’s a pretty good improvement in a year and given that I’m healthy I’m really looking forward to next year. <br /><br />“Four more opportunities at major championships and with my game improving, I’m very excited about that for next year.”</p>
<p>Tiger Woods said fatigue was the reason he skipped this week’s World Golf Championship event in China. <br /><br /></p>.<p>As Australian Adam Scott and South African Louis Oosthuizen grabbed the first-round lead at the $7 million event in Shenzhen on Thursday, the 36-year-old Woods was holding a putting clinic for school children in Singapore. <br /><br />The main sponsor had been unhappy Woods and world number one McIlroy chose to miss the World Golf Championship event despite being in the country and playing in a lucrative exhibition event. <br /><br />Woods said he was looking forward to competing in the World Challenge in December, an invitational event he hosts in California, before putting his clubs away for a long rest. <br /><br />“I was tired and doing these things (clinics) are easy. Competing and getting ready for another golf tournament, I just didn’t want to do that,” Woods told reporters at Marina Bay after offering his expertise to 12 selected teenagers. <br /><br />“I’ve got four more rounds at my tournament in LA and I’m done until Abu Dhabi next year so I’m looking forward to having this extended break. This is my off-season now and I’m really looking forward to getting away from it. <br /><br />“Competing and playing golf tournaments after a long schedule, the playoffs, the Ryder Cup and a lot of other tournaments, it’s been a while,” he added of his need for a break after his first full season on Tour since 2005. <br /><br />Woods, winner of 14 majors before his marriage imploded in late 2009, lost to McIlroy by a shot in the exhibition dubbed ‘The duel on the lake’. The American said he was happy with his year after returning from numerous injury problems. <br /><br />“This year, I’ve had three wins and things are certainly progressing nicely,” said Woods, who has been plagued by knee, back and Achilles injuries in recent years. <br /><br />“Last year I was 127th on the (PGA Tour) money list, or whatever I was, and this year I’m second so that’s a pretty good improvement in a year and given that I’m healthy I’m really looking forward to next year. <br /><br />“Four more opportunities at major championships and with my game improving, I’m very excited about that for next year.”</p>