I need a break, says tired Woods

Woods hinted over the weekend at the Target World Challenge, the last PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament of 2005, that he was badly in need of a break from golf. It was his sixth tournament in six weeks. Beginning with the Tour Championship Nov. 3 at Atlanta, Woods played in China, Japan, Hawaii, the Skins Game at La Quinta and the Target at Sherwood Country Club.

Was he relieved the season had ended? ‘‘I am. The stress that started at the Tour Championship, this has been a long stretch,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m looking forward to getting my body back to being healthy.’’

Because he is the defending champion, Woods — who turns 30 on December 30 — is all but certain to make his return at the Buick Invitational, which starts January 20 at Torrey Pines. It’s likely that his schedule would then include the Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club in mid-February and the Accenture Match Play Championship the next week at La Costa.

That would add up to a six-week off-season, the second longest of his career. He played 21 PGA Tour events in 2005, equaling the most in his nine full years as a professional, but counting other worldwide tournaments, he played 26 events — the most since he played 26 tournaments in 1998.

(LA Times-Washington Post)