The Players Championship started today in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. This has been known for a while now as golf's "5th Major". The tournament draws the best players from around the world and has the biggest purse of the year. The island green-17th hole is still there making players shake in their spikes-but there's something not right. The PGA Tour pushed the tourney back from late March to May so it falls after the Masters-but that's not the reason why it feels different. The difference is the lack of the game's best player.

Right after the conclusion of the Masters, Tiger Woods had knee surgery. He scheduled this surgery so he would not miss a major. He will not play this week and it reminds me that Tiger IS golf. I'm not saying that the sport would not be successful without him, but his presence alone makes the place buzz. Fans want to see him turn a golf course into his personal canvas. When he's through, it's usually a masterpiece. I'm continually amazed by how dominant he is. The fact is, guys like Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, and Jim Furyk are incredible players, but their legacies may be diminished by playing at the same time as Tiger.

This year, they will crown another champion. That person will have survived bouts with the island green and held off an impressive field. I hope it's an exciting tournament-I'll be watching. That had me thinking-how many people will watch without Tiger in the field? How will his absence affect the way the tournament is covered and broadcasted? After this weekend, it will again be clear that Tiger Woods IS golf.