In a surprise, Woods announced on his Web site Friday that he is skipping the season-ending Tour Championship next week in Atlanta in order to "recharge my batteries" for next year. Since his rookie year in 1996, Woods has never missed the tour's lucrative and exclusive finale, limited to the top 30 on the final money list.

Woods, who skipped the Disney World event last week for the second time in his career, said he's burned out from a recent stretch in which he teed it up in seven of nine weeks, the Ryder Cup included. He has won his past six PGA Tour events in succession, matching the second-longest streak in history.

Woods said it was "taxing both mentally and physically and I feel like I need another week away from competitive golf. I'm confident that this extended break will help me to recharge my batteries for the 2007 season."

Which isn't to suggest that Woods is through playing for the year, which might fuel criticism. He will play in international events next month in China and Japan — he typically draws appearance fees of $3 million per event — then play in the four-man PGA Grand Slam in Hawaii, where he is the defending champion. On Dec. 14, he will host and play in the limited-field Target World Challenge in suburban Los Angeles, which benefits his charity.

Wrote Woods: "I want to stress to everyone that missing the Tour Championship for the first time in my pro career is in no way a reflection of my feelings towards the event."

Coincidentally or not, Woods has never won the Tour Championship when it's been held in Atlanta. Of the three times in his career in which he has blown a 54-hole lead, two instances came at East Lake Golf Club, the site of next week's event.

Woods played 15 times this year, a career low for a full season, winning eight times. Woods' next start is expected to be at the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii in January.