Tiger Woods will not play at the PGA's 26th Annual Grand Slam tournament to be held in Bermuda in October because of knee surgery.

On his website Woods explained that he needed to have reconstructive anterior cruciate ligament surgery to his left knee and would not be playing for the rest of the PGA season.

His doctors have confirmed he will make a full recovery, however, officials at the PGA of America last night said that this would mean Woods would not be playing in Bermuda.

Woods won an invitation to the Grand Slam with his upset of Rocco Mediate on Monday at the USOpen played on the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California.

Though struggling to play through pain of stress fractures he suffered two weeks before the tournament, Woods won in a sudden death 19-hole playoff with Mediate.

Yesterday, Woods explained that he had not wanted to draw attention to his difficulty at the time in order to preserve the integrity of the tournament.

He said: "I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time.

"I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work and make sure the focus was on the USOpen.

"Now it's clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

Woods had surgery to clean out cartilage April 15, but later experienced a double stress fracture in his left leg about two weeks before the US Open and will need between six and eight months to recover from the injuries.

This is the second time Woods has cancelled on the PGA Grand Slam, which is a 36-hold event broadcast to a potential audience of 89 million Americans and an international audience, since it has been held in Bermuda.

Last year, after much hype about the star golfer playing on the Island, Woods declined the invitation to the tournament citing personal obligations and spending time with his family.

He had said he would like to compete in the tournament, which is hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Mid Ocean Club and the Fairmont Southampton Hotel, if he qualified this year.

Premier Ewart Brown last night said after watching Woods play on Monday he could understand, as a doctor, why the golfer had to back out.

He said: "We received official word today that Tiger Woods will not play for the remainder of 2008 due to a knee injury.

"As a fan of golf I was disappointed but as a doctor I was not surprised after watching Tiger in the US Open.

"I am confident that the PGA Grand Slam of Golf itself will be a stunning success without him. Our thoughts and prayers should be with Tiger as he prepares for major knee surgery."

'Disappointment' was the only word on the lips of the Island's organisers and golfing fanatics upon hearing that Woods was not going to visit the Island.

Shirley James, President of the Mid Ocean Club, where the tournament will be held, said: "Naturally we are terribly, terribly disappointed. "We were very excited. We thought this is it Tiger's coming, but I am sure whoever will be coming in his place will be welcome."

Tiger's replacement will be decided on a point system that is tallied after the PGA Championship held from August 4-10 at Oakland Hills Country Club.

The points system takes into account finishes in the 2008 major championships by past major champions. Right now the favourite to fill the spot is Phil Mickelson.

A different golfer to round-out the line-up, however, did not dampen the spirits of David Ezekiel, general chairman of the PGA Grand Slam.

"Disappointed obviously, mainly for the fans in Bermuda who were cheering him on at the USOpen hoping that it would mean he would be participating here," he said.

"But as we saw last year the event stands on its own. We had fantastic participants last year. He (Woods) is held in such esteem that everyone will understand.

"This year we will move on and look forward to having four great golfers here like last year."

As a professional golfer, Kim Swan who is also the Opposition Leader, said the Island would share with other destinations the disappointment.

He said: "As a professional golfer I witnessed one of the greatest performances of a major professional athlete in what Tiger Woods did on Monday while playing at 60 percent and making it.

"The other side is he probably pushed the envelope with the stress he placed his knee. I know it's very disappointing for us to have the news that he will not be able to participate because its at the end of the season but I know there are many other events that will share our disappointment.

"Certainly it (Bermuda's hosting of the PGAGrand Slam) was a successful event last year."

PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb also commented on the sheer determination Woods showed on Monday and wished the golfer all the best in his recovery

."Once again this weekend Tiger showed his special brand of skill and determination which makes him our game's greatest champion," he said.

"As a fellow PGA Member and friend we wish him a full and speedy recovery."