The PGA Tour has touted its new FedEx Cup competition by making references to the Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees. But when golf's version of the play-offs begin this week in New York, it won't include Tiger Woods.

Golf's star attraction said he will sit out the first play-off event at The Barclays, saying he was worn out from back-to-back victories at Firestone and Southern Hills.

"My body is spent and I need a break," Woods said on his website.

"This is in no way a knock on Barclays, their new event next week or the new FedEx Cup series, which I fully support," he said in his statement. "I just hope that this extra week of rest will rejuvenate me for the final three play-off events and Presidents Cup. It is still my goal to win the FedEx Cup and I am hopeful this will give me the best opportunity to finish the year strong."

The announcement was a setback for the PGA Tour, which had promoted the FedEx Cup as a "new era in golf" and instead was left with an old problem of convincing fans that golf was still relevant after the majors were over.

The FedEx Cup is a season-long points race that culminates with the play-offs, when the points are reset for four tournaments through the Tour Champion-ship. The winner gets a $10 million annuity from a $35 million bonus pool.

Woods is the No. 1 seed and still can win the FedEx Cup despite skipping The Barclays. He is the defending champion at the Deutsche Bank Championship outside Boston, and he is a three-time winner at the BMW Championship outside Chicago. The Tour Championship is held in Atlanta at East Lake, where Woods has twice been runner-up.