Woods turns down rich Dubai event

Woods says playing more in Europe would affect his game

World number one Tiger Woods will not take part in the European Tour's lucrative new end-of-season tournament.

The Dubai World Championship is open to the top 60 golfers on the European Order of Merit but the American says he is too busy to take part.

"There is really no way I can keep up the commitment level that I have by playing that much golf," said Woods.

"With all the things that I have to deal with at a venue, it tends to wear you out a little bit."

Woods said being part of the European Tour was always on his mind but that he could not justify playing enough tournaments to ensure he retained membership.

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"I've contemplated taking a European Tour card since 1999, when I started going over to Europe and playing over there," added Woods.

"I've always been one or two tournaments short of keeping my status over there."

Woods plays this week in the Target World Challenge at Thousand Oaks in California, the 16-player event he hosts each December to raise money for charities.