World number four Ernie Els has withdrawn from this week's Deutsche Bank Championship near Boston to spend more time with his family.

South African Els has decided to return to his home in Wentworth to help his children prepare for a new academic year at school.

"I have been on the road now for almost eight weeks and it is important that I return home where my children will be preparing for their return to school," Els said.

"I regret having to miss such a prestigious and important tournament and I wish everybody there an enjoyable and successful week."

Els, a three-times major winner, tied for fourth at last week's Barclays Classic, the first event in the PGA Tour's lucrative four-tournament season finale.

He is riding high at 10th in the FedExCup standings and plans to play in next week's BMW Championship outside Chicago where the field will number 70 after being cut from 120 this Sunday.

The leading 30 players in the standings will then qualify for the Tour Championship in Atlanta the following week when a $10 million bonus in deferred compensation will be earned by the overall champion.

Reuters