As further proof that the PGA Tour season didn't end when Tiger Woods had reconstructive knee surgery in June, the $63-million FedEx Cup playoff series starts today with the $7-million Barclays at Paramus, N.J. The show goes on, but the showstopper isn't around.
No, Woods is famously absent, his return date is largely uncertain, the television ratings are in a free fall and the health of the tour he left behind is still to be determined.
When Woods said last week that he wasn't going to be physically able to swing a club until 2009, warning bells started ringing in tournament offices from coast to coast, not to mention the PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
What if Woods can't play until March, or April? What if the FedEx Cup and its ratings fizzle without him?
That's way too much to start worrying about, said Ty Votaw, executive vice president for communications and international affairs for the PGA Tour.
"Tiger's presence enhances any tournament, but the playoffs are structured to provide compelling competition . . . even when [No.] 1 or [No.] 2 of the top 10 are out."
Neither Woods nor second-ranked Phil Mickelson played all four of the FedEx Cup playoff events last year, when Woods emerged as the champion and claimed a $10-million bonus.
As for entering the 2009 season with its top draw, meal ticket and star attraction still on the shelf, Votaw said there are others who have proved they can fill in nicely, such as Padraig Harrington, Anthony Kim and Sergio Garcia.
"I think some people may be surprised at how resilient the game can be," he said.
While that may be true, Woods' coach said the FedEx Cup series can't avoid being harmed at least in some way because of Woods' absence.
"Too bad about the ratings, but he's the most recognizable athlete in the world," Hank Haney said. "But right now, it doesn't look great, does it?"
Haney said speculation that Woods would return by the Buick Invitational the first week of February may be misplaced.
"If you can't swing a club until after the first of the year, I don't know how he makes that one," he said.
Haney said Woods is riding a stationary bicycle and has lowered his body fat to 7%. Haney is convinced that Woods will follow a conservative route in his rehabilitation and that when he returns, he'll have a strong leg again.
But there is a different view, one that contends that Woods isn't going to be the same when he returns.
