The Looming Specter of Golf Without Tiger Woods

The phantom that looms over the golf world without Tiger Woods

I went to see the most notable match of this match. We saw the sport in crisis. Woods prepares to start from the sixth tee in the second round of the Genesis Invitational on February 16 in Pacific Palisades, California. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Spectators gathered around the clubhouse and tee box to catch a glimpse of Tiger Woods even before he teed off Friday at his PGA Tour event. As always wherever Woods plays, this was a particularly beautiful sight overlooking the first hole at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. The teeing ground was on a cliff, and there were a lot of people at the top waiting to see Woods. They tolerated the group in front of him and graciously praised Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay, who were genuine tournament contenders. The first roar was heard as Woods appeared behind them and entered the makeshift kitchen next to T-Shirt. The biggest roar came when Woods actually hit his tee shot. Gary Woodland was the second of three players in the group, but no one saw Gary Woodland, and the crowd began to disperse after Woods’ putt.