Rude: 'Golf's balance at the top is a bit out of whack'

Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Adam Scott and 12 other players in the top-20 are playing this week at the Wachovia Championship.  One player is missing though, Tiger Woods, who is out with a bad knee.  Jeff Rude of Golfweek asks...

Question is, would the typical tournament director rather have 15 of the top 20 or just Woods and no one else in the top 20?

Educated conjecture says the latter.

Point is, golf’s balance at the top is a bit out of whack at the moment. Only way that improves is if other players close the gap on Woods. Though we got a taste of a so-called Big 4 or Big 5 in the middle of this decade, we might have to wait a while for parity to rear its head again.

Spectator golf is at its best when Phil Mickelson is playing well and giving Woods something to think about. Spectator golf is at its second best when Woods is playing, period. We're all fortunate to be able to witness the best.