Tree-falls-in-the-forest question: If a big tournament is played without Tiger Woods, is it still a big tournament?
The Players Championship began Thursday with the world's No. 1 golfer on the sidelines recovering from April 15 knee surgery. Woods is missing his first Players since turning pro; he never has been out for a major as a pro.
Golf fans will hear Johnny Miller and Dan Hicks and NBC's other announcers go on about the high caliber of play at the TPC of Sawgrass despite Woods' absence. Hey, NBC has bills to pay.
In fact, some golf fans will relish a breather from the all-Woods, all-the-time coverage. E-mailers often complain the media dwells on one player, even if that player seems to win virtually every tournament he enters.
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