http://www.idahostatesman.com/nationalsports/story/822668.html

Woods to play exhibition to help Begay charity

By DOUG FERGUSON - AP Golf Writer
Published: 07/03/09

BETHESDA, Md. - Tiger Woods is helping out longtime friend Notah Begay III,
agreeing to play in his charity Skins Game at Turning Stone Resort next
month to support Native American youth.

Begay declined to comment and kept his head down when asked if Woods was
playing in his event, then stopped 20 yards later and said with a smile, "I
need to win some skins."

Woods' agent at IMG confirmed he would be playing Aug. 24 in the Notah Begay
III Foundation Challenge. The world's No. 1 player will join Stanford
teammate Begay, former Masters champion Mike Weir and Camilo Villegas.

A year ago, the event raised $180,000 for Begay's foundation, which supports
youth sports and wellness programs for Native Americans in New Mexico and
other states.

Begay, a Navajo, is the only Native American on the PGA Tour. He has four
PGA Tour victories, none since 2000, and earned his card for this year by
returning to Q-school.

He and Woods have remained closed, however, and Begay received an exemption
to the AT&T National, where he opened with rounds of 70-72 at Congressional.

Woods had planned to play in Begay's event a year ago until he was forced to
miss the second half of the season with knee surgery.

Turning Stone Resort in upstate New York has held a Fall Series event on the
PGA Tour the last two years, and its $6 million purse is larger than some
regular-season events.

Woods is not expected to play in the PGA Tour event, as it follows the
conclusion of the FedEx Cup. Begay's charity event is the Monday of The
Barclays in New Jersey, the start of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx
Cup. Woods has never played The Barclays since it became part of the
playoffs.

Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG, said Woods has not decided on his schedule
for the playoffs.