The Tour Without Tiger

The PGA Tour survived without Tiger before butDecember when he was chased by his wife Elin with
how will his most recent hiatus hurt their TV ratingsa golf club. The accident and fall-out from that day
and checkbook.shocked the world. Woods lost his clean-cut family
As always, the Tour starts in beautiful Hawaii withguy image and has now lost some sponsors because
the SBS Championship and the winners from 2009.of it. Most notably, AT&T, Tag Hauer,
One missing golfer of note is Tiger Woods, winner ofAccenture, and Gatorade although Gatorade states
6 tournaments last year. Sure, he missed last yearsthey were already going to pull his drink off the
Hawaii trip but he was coming off knee surgery, notshelves. Nike is still with Woods and most likely won't
dodging the world trying to stay out of the limelight.abandon him unless more news surfaces that leaves
We've seen the numbers and so have the sponsor's,them no choice.
TV ratings can drop 50% or more when Woods isn'tNo matter how you "slice" it, Woods is still the #1
in the final group. Since the SBC only has around 30golfer in the world and if he returns and continues his
golfers, viewers were guaranteed to see everywinning ways, Nike, the PGA Tour and everyone else
golfer play everyday of the TV coverage. This is aassociated with him will profit from this even with his
bonus for Tiger fans, although he gets more than histarnished image. Golf fans are an eclectic group and
share of coverage during whatever tournament he'scheer for the underdogs even when their personal
playing in, most don't compare to the beautifullives are in shambles. This is no more evident than
backdrop of the Plantation Course at Kapalua.when John Daly steps on the course. Although John
2009 was another year of note for Tiger and hishas had his issues, he is still a crowd favorite
flock. Coming off knee surgery, no one knew whatwherever he goes. Tiger will receive the same
to expect, but he didn't keep us guessing for longtreatment when/if he returns. Some fans won't
capturing the win at Bayhill, (Arnie's Tournament). Herespect his lifestyle, but you have to respect his golf
went on to win 5 more tournaments last year, butgame. Not since the likes of Palmer and Nicholas has
no majors. He was chased down by Y.E. Yang at Thea golfer been so dominant that when he does play,
Players, but even more noteworthy was inmost golfers know their playing for 2nd place.