Worried Woods takes time out

Woods was let down by a 77 at Torrey Pines

Tiger Woods will spend the next week working on his technique after making a subdued start to 2002.

Woods has decided to miss the Los Angeles Open in an attempt to fine-tune his game for the WGC-Accenture Match Play championship in California on 21 February.

The world number one is lying 20th in the US Tour money list after finishing joint 10th, joint 12th and joint fifth in his first three starts of the year.

It is a big tournament and I need to be ready for that

Tiger Woods on the Accenture Match Play event

And he was not satisfied with his form in the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines last week, despite closing rounds of 69 and 66.

Woods had struggled to make the cut, but might have troubled eventual winner Jose Maria Olazabal if his putting had not let him down on the final nine holes.

He missed short birdie putts at 11, 12 and 15 and failed to convert an eagle from six feet at the 13th.

Damage

"It's not too often you're frustrated with a 66," he said.

"There's no doubt about it.

"I missed a few putts on the back nine but gave myself a few chances. It was close but not good enough."

Woods knew his second round of 77 had done the damage.

"But then again, I'm very proud that, with that 77, I still had a chance on the back nine Sunday," he said.

"Don't get me wrong, I played poorly, but I'm proud of the way I played the other three days."

Woods said it had been a tough decision to miss the Los Angeles Open, which starts on Thursday.

"It's difficult," he said on his official website. "It's where I played my first tour event.

"But it (the Match Play) is a big tournament and I need to be ready for that."