GREAT GOLFERS AT PLAY—Camilo Villegas, left, and Lee Westwood prep for this weekend’s Chevron World Challenge during Wednesday’s Pro-Am at Sherwood Country Club. The Chevron World Challenge begins today at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks without a pair of big names in the field.

Tiger Woods, the tournament host, and Vijay Singh, the event’s defending champion, have both withdrawn.

Woods, the top-ranked golfer in the world, pulled out on Monday, citing injuries incurred during a weekend car crash near his home in Windermere, Fla.

“I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week,” said Woods in a statement on his website.

“I am certain it will be an outstanding event, and I’m very sorry that I can’t be there.”

Added Gregg McLaughlin, Tiger Woods Foundation president and CEO: “We support Tiger’s decision and are confident the strong field and excellent course will provide an exciting week of competition at the Chevron World Challenge.”

Photos by JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers A year ago, Woods attended the event but did not play while recovering from knee surgery.

Singh was scratched from the 18-man field after undergoing knee surgery late last month.

Still, the show will go on through Sunday, with sharpshooters such as Padraig Harrington, Anthony Kim, Steve Stricker, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Camilo Villegas and Mike Weir battling a $1.35million first-place purse.

The Golf Channel will broadcast the action today and Friday from noon until 3 p.m.

Television coverage switches to NBC for the final two days, also beginning at noon.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tigerwoodsfoundation.org/ worldchallenge.