Fatigue, was the explanation for Tiger Woods's no show at last weekend's Mercedes Championship in Hawaii.

Woods wasn't the only top player to opt out of the PGA Tour's season opener . . .Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen also stayed away . . . but he copped the most flak.

Woods has explained in the past that the US schedule is too long and that he needs his rest, so when 2005 wrapped up in early November with the Tour Championship in Atlanta, we would presume that he immediately put the clubs away.

Well, not quite. In fact, Woods chose to play in China, Japan, Hawaii and then finally in his own tournament in California in December.

None of the events involved official prize money, but there just might have been a couple of fat appearance fees. No wonder he's tired.

A BIT TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT WITH BILL

Pierce Brosnan is not an enthusiastic golfer, but his neighbour during a Christmas break in Hawaii, Bill Clinton, happens to be the opposite, so Brosnan was a slightly unwilling partner for the former US president's 6.30am game.

"It was terrifying, you have about 26 secret servicemen standing there looking at you, " said the 36-handicap.

"We were practising, and he wanted to give me a few tips.

He said, 'You're doing it all wrong, Piercef now let me just hold your hips here.'

"I said, 'This is not gonna look too good in a photograph, Mr President.'" VIJAY STILL WON'T SINGH FOR MEDIA The new golf year is just upon us, however, it seems that Vijay Singh has brought little cheer with him into 2006.

Singh had just lost in a playoff for the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii to Stuart Appleby and, despite concerted efforts by of"cials, the Fijian refused point blank to share his thoughts with the assembled media.

Plus ca change.

MICHELLE'S FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST

Former British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia on Michelle Wie's dalliances with the PGA Tour: "She's going to make a cut eventually, but she's never going to win, period. Maybe once she makes a cut she'll forget about it." We tend to agree.

Compiled by Mark Jones mjones@tribune. ie