Golf: Show will go on with no Tiger

Organisers of the New Zealand Open are facing a potential sporting disaster, with renewed uncertainty over the world's greatest player, Tiger Woods, appearing at the event in January.

Reports yesterday indicated that the world No 1 might withdraw from his international playing commitments if advised to do so by the US State Department.

He withdrew from the Lancome Trophy in Paris shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks on advice from the State Department.

Open2002 managing director David Pool said "contingency plans" were being worked through.

A no-show from Woods would have a significant ripple effect on the tournament at Paraparaumu Beach from January 10-13, including the spin-off that other top American names still in the organisers' sights could follow the lead of Woods and stay at home.

"In one sense nothing has changed," Pool said. "We've had public assurances from Tiger and his management that he still plans to play at Paraparaumu in January."

"However, we are concerned that comments attributed to Tiger yesterday have increased the perceived uncertainty around the event.

Pool said that money from ticket sales was held in a trust account.

Woods or no Woods, the tournament would go ahead.

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