Woods to skip opener.(Sports)

Byline: Combined wire services

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Tiger Woods is so serious about wanting a shorter season on the PGA Tour that he is skipping the season-opening Mercedes Championships at Kapalua next month.

"I haven't had an off-season," Woods said. "And I need one."

The only other time Woods has missed the tournament was in 2003, when he was recovering from surgery on his left knee that kept him out for two months.

His withdrawal is a serious blow to the star-depraved Mercedes Championships, which is limited to PGA Tour winners from the previous year.

Phil Mickelson has not played at Kapalua since 2001 and isn't expected …