PURCHASE, New York (AP) — Gatorade is discontinuing its Tiger Woods drink, but says it made the decision before the golfer’s car accident led to a media firestorm surrounding his personal life.

The decision to drop the drink, called Tiger Focus, was first reported by trade publication Beverage Digest in an issue dated November 25, two days before the incident at Woods’ home in Florida. The publication’s editor, John Sicher, said he learned of the decision the week of November 9.

The brand — a unit of PepsiCo Inc — says the decision does not have to do with recent events.

The drink debuted in March 2008. Beverage Digest estimates it represents less than five per cent of Gatorade’s volume. Sales volume of Tiger Focus was down 34 per cent this year through October.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, citing data from Nielsen Co, reported yesterday that advertisers haven’t aired TV commercials featuring Woods since shortly after the scandal broke.