Woods pulled out of the tournament claiming to sustained injuries from a mysterious car crash outside his Florida home last week
"It's a shame for the tournament, a shame for the sponsors and a shame for Tiger because I'm sure he would have liked to be here.” European number one Lee Westwood said.
Woods, the greatest player of his generation has been the main attraction for most news headlines since crashing his SUV into a fire hydrant and a neighbour's tree in the early hours of the morning last Friday.
US Open champion Lucas Glover said that the absence of Wood's is unfortunate but understands the world number ones decision to stay indoors this week.
“I just hope that he heals up and gets better because we look forward to seeing him in 2010." Glover said.
Although Woods won't be present at his own tournament for the first time, the line up of those competing are of the top ranked in the world.
Proceeds for the invitational will go to the Tiger Woods Foundation projects and the Tiger Woods Learning Centre in Anaheim.
