By ALEX MICELI
Golfweek ContributorTiger Woods is still on the injured list, but that won’t stop him from earning his first check for 2009 at this week’s Mercedes-Benz Championship.
Woods, who hasn’t played since winning the U.S. Open in a Monday playoff over Rocco Mediate in June, will earn last-place money (approximately $65,000) in Hawaii because he qualified for the winners-only event.
According to PGA Tour regulations, any player who qualifies for an official money event without a cut or an alternate list, but is unable to play because of injury, will receive last-place, unofficial money.
Woods reinjured his left knee while jogging near his home in Orlando, Fla., after winning the 2007 British Open. After surgery in April 2008, Woods further injured the knee preparing for the Memorial Tournament. He limped around Torrey Pines in a dramatic 91-hole victory at the U.S. Open before calling it quits for the year and having another, more extensive surgery.
While it is unclear when Woods will return to earn official money, reports are that the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships on Feb. 26-March 1 might be the World No. 1’s coming-out party for ’09.
Posted: 1/5/2009
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