| The PGA Tour survived without Tiger before but | | | | December when he was chased by his wife Elin with |
| how will his most recent hiatus hurt their TV ratings | | | | a 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 with | | | | guy 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 of | | | | Accenture, and Gatorade although Gatorade states |
| 6 tournaments last year. Sure, he missed last years | | | | they were already going to pull his drink off the |
| Hawaii trip but he was coming off knee surgery, not | | | | shelves. 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't | | | | No matter how you "slice" it, Woods is still the #1 |
| in the final group. Since the SBC only has around 30 | | | | golfer in the world and if he returns and continues his |
| golfers, viewers were guaranteed to see every | | | | winning ways, Nike, the PGA Tour and everyone else |
| golfer play everyday of the TV coverage. This is a | | | | associated with him will profit from this even with his |
| bonus for Tiger fans, although he gets more than his | | | | tarnished image. Golf fans are an eclectic group and |
| share of coverage during whatever tournament he's | | | | cheer for the underdogs even when their personal |
| playing in, most don't compare to the beautiful | | | | lives 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 his | | | | has had his issues, he is still a crowd favorite |
| flock. Coming off knee surgery, no one knew what | | | | wherever he goes. Tiger will receive the same |
| to expect, but he didn't keep us guessing for long | | | | treatment when/if he returns. Some fans won't |
| capturing the win at Bayhill, (Arnie's Tournament). He | | | | respect his lifestyle, but you have to respect his golf |
| went on to win 5 more tournaments last year, but | | | | game. Not since the likes of Palmer and Nicholas has |
| no majors. He was chased down by Y.E. Yang at The | | | | a golfer been so dominant that when he does play, |
| Players, but even more noteworthy was in | | | | most golfers know their playing for 2nd place. |