Decade honors for Woods

Tiger Woods was selected yesterday as the athlete of the decade by members of the Associated Press. He received 56 of the 142 votes by editors at U.S. newspapers that are members of the AP.

For 10 incomparable years, no one ruled a sport like Woods ruled golf. He won 64 tournaments, including 12 major championships. He hoisted a trophy on every continent where golf is played.

More than half the ballots were returned after the Nov. 27 car accident outside his Florida home that set off sensational tales about his infidelity.

Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor who won the Tour de France six times this decade, finished second with 33 votes.

Armstrong was followed by Roger Federer, who has won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other male tennis player, with 25 votes.

Record-setting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps came in fourth with 13 votes, followed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (six) and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt (four).

Woods, who has not been seen since the accident and has issued only statements on his Web site, was not made available to comment about the award.

Meanwhile, Woods' business partners in Dubai pushed ahead with plans to build a course bearing his name despite cash problems in the United Arab Emirates.