General / Editor / 23 June 2007 /

Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the Buick Open at the Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan, starting on June 28

The defending champion's wife, Elin, gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter Sam Alexis on Monday, just 24 hours after US star Woods had tied for second place at the US Open.

"Tiger will spend time with his wife and newborn daughter next week," said Buick golf marketing manager Larry Peck in a statement.

"We respect and support his decision. We are very happy for him and his family."

Woods announced his wife's pregnancy in December and admitted before last week's tournament in Oakmont he was unsure about the rest of his schedule for 2007.

He said: "My practice sessions are going to have to be tailored around a little bit, have to move things around.
"But, you know, I don't really know how my game is going to be affected by it because I've never gone through it before.

"All I know is that Elin and I are excited, and that this is far more important than any game of golf."
The 31-year-old has yet to confirm his participation in the 136th Open Championship, starting on July 19, for which the three-times winner and hat-trick chaser is the outright 3.95 favourite on Betfair's "The Open Championship - Winner" market.

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