Five withdraw from Mercedes Championship

KA LUA - The PGA have confirmed that 5 qualified players won't be playing in this years event. Those absent are Englands Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, recent Sun City winner Nick Price, Olin Browne and Hal Sutton, whose wife has recently given birth to twins.

Despite these withdrawals the field is still a strong one, with David Duval and Tiger Woods being the bookmakers favourites.

TW 5/1/99