Tiger's a story, even though he's not at The Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — He has won The Players just once in 11 tries, and hasn't had a top-10 finish here since 2001. But even in his absence, Tiger Woods remains a big story.

Can the PGA Tour stage its signature event without its signature player?

Woods is missing his first Players since turning professional in 1996 because he underwent knee surgery the week after the Masters.

"Tiger creates a buzz, a stir," said Jim Furyk, the world's seventh-ranked player. "There will be less people and media around, tougher for the (TV) producer to figure out who he's going to follow Thursday and Friday. He is the one that draws. He's our lead story."

Woods' decision to have surgery that would force him to sit out The Players also brings into question the tournament's longtime boast of being the "fifth major.'' Would Tiger had gone under the knife with a true major ahead?

No matter. The Players begins today with 144 golfers vying for the richest purse in golf ($9.5 million) in the year's deepest field (47 of the past 48 winners on the PGA Tour are here, with the one notable exception). Woods' absence will certainly affect TV ratings, but for the 20th consecutive year The Players is sold out.

"Obviously, we miss Tiger," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. "Not having the No. 1 player in the world here is a frustration, but we celebrate everybody else that's here."

Those who are at TPC Sawgrass might want to celebrate the fact that Woods, who has won five of his past seven starts, isn't. Even though he hasn't dominated this event like so many others, every player knows their chances increase in a Tiger-less field.

"I hate that we're missing him," said two-time PGA Tour winner Boo Weekley. "But at the same time, maybe he'll take five years off and give us a chance out here. I mean, just take a little minivacation or something would be great."

Woods is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, meaning he could return for Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament later this month. Players defending champion Phil Mickelson said Woods' absence isn't something the players talk about during practice rounds, but it becomes more of a factor when they're carrying around a scorecard.

"When he's in the field, certainly that's the first thing you look at on the leader board is what did Tiger shoot, and he's usually up on top," Mickelson said. "I just assume in all the big tournaments he's going to be there, so it's awkward to play at The Players and not have him be in the field, but it doesn't change anything."

Mickelson said he believes the PGA Tour is better off when Woods plays. But it's just as obvious that most of the top-ranked players are better off when Woods stays home.

Only one player in the top 10 in the latest world rankings — No. 6 Geoff Ogilvy — has won more than half of his career PGA Tour victories with Woods in the field (three-of-four). Since Woods turned pro in late 1996, Ernie Els (No. 4) is the only other top-10 player who has more wins with Woods in the field (eight) than without (five).

"I like it when Tiger's in the field," said Ogilvy, who ended Woods' five-tournament winning streak with a two-shot victory at the CA Championship at Doral in March. "You want to beat the best players in the world."

Vijay Singh has the most career wins with Woods in the field (13), but that means more than half of his 31 career wins have come sans Tiger, with just three of those coming before Woods turned professional.

Mickelson has the most wins without Woods in the field (22), but nine of Lefty's 33 career wins came before Woods turned pro. Since Woods' arrival, almost half (11) of Mickelson's 24 wins have come with Tiger in the field.

Fifth-ranked Steve Stricker's four career wins came without Woods in the field, although two of those came before 1996. Moreover, Rory Sabbatini, who during last year's Players called a struggling Woods "more beatable than ever,'' has beaten Tiger just once during a win, at the 2006 Nissan Open, when a sick Woods withdrew after 36 holes.

Reigning British Open champion Padraig Harrington said he doesn't concern himself with his competition.

"Yes, we are aware that Tiger Woods isn't here," Harrington said. "But if it comes down to Sunday and you're playing the 18th hole and you're a shot behind or a shot ahead, it doesn't really make any difference who's on the other side of the tee. It makes all the difference how you think about it."

Craig Dolch writes for The Palm Beach Post.