Golf: Woods still not ready

Tiger Woods was a notable absentee when the field was confirmed yesterday for next week's Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

The world No 1, whose father Earl died earlier this month after a long battle with cancer, has not played competitive golf since the US Masters seven weeks ago.

American Woods has repeatedly said he was unlikely to return to action until the US Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, next month.

His decision not to play at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial means he will go into the second major championship of the year following a nine-week break, the longest of his career.

Woods launched his 2006 campaign after taking an extended layoff over Christmas and New Year to recharge his batteries and spend valuable time with his father.

He did not touch a club for 24 days, "the longest I've ever gone", the 30-year-old said.

A three-time winner of the prestigious Memorial, Woods will miss the tournament for the first time in 10 years.

He won the title three years in a row from 1999 and has finished no worse than joint fourth since 2002.

Next week's event has attracted seven of the world's top 10 players, with eighth-ranked American David Toms and Britain's Luke Donald (10) the other absentees.

American Bart Bryant will defend the Memorial title he clinched by a stroke at Muirfield Village Golf Club last year.