Tiger Woods starts the Valderrama World Golf Championship event tomorrow hoping to become the first man in the sport to win $10 million in a season. Victory in Spain would earn him a one-million-dollar purse to take his season's winnings through the $10 million barrier. No one, apart from Woods himself, has ever earned half as much in a season. "It was one of my goals at the beginning of the year," he said. "Most of the tournaments I've played in this year, I've had a chance to win. That's something I am very proud of."
Woods, who has won nine tournaments from 21 in 2000 including three out of the year's four majors, was given a head start here when a dozen leading American players pulled out at the last minute. World number three Phil Mickelson, who beat Woods at Atlanta last week, and David Duval, ranked fourth, were among the absentees who opted for a holiday break rather play in an event designed to attract the world's best. Ernie Els, however, the world number two, and Vijay Singh, the only man to beat the 24-year-old Woods in a major this season, will take part, as will the cream of the European Tour.
Paul McGinley is the first of the Irish to tee off tomorrow. He starts at 10.10am, and plays with American, Kirk Triplett. Padraig Harrington tees-off at 11.30am, and starts alongside Nick Price of Zimbabwe. Darren Clarke, who leads the Order of Merit going into this last event, partners Fiji's Vijay Singh, and they start their round at midday. Lee Westwood, Clarke's closest challenger, plays with Mark Calcavecchia of the US. Woods is paired with Denmark's Tomas Bjorn, tee-ing off at 11am.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
