The Golf Watch

"Tour broadcasts feel the pain"

Thomas Bonk of the LA Times catches us up on how badly television ratings have been hit the last three weeks without Tiger...

It's all a matter of perspective. The PGA Tour and its truckload of sponsors aren't even asking you not to touch that dial on your television; they're asking you to make sure the set is turned on in the first place.

The Absent Tiger Factor is here and it's awful to behold.

Case 1: Buick Open. The first event of three events so far that Woods would have played but missed because of his knee surgery. The overnight rating on CBS for the fourth round was down 12%, from a 1.7 to a 1.5.

Case 2: AT&T National. Worse. The overnight ratings for the fourth round on CBS were down 48%, from a 2.9 to a 1.5. Third-round ratings dipped 35%, from a 2.0 to a 1.3.

Case 3: British Open. Not good. The overnight ratings for ABC's final round coverage Sunday fell 14.6%, from a 4.1 to a 3.5.

We called it, Woods commits to Buick Open

Don't say we at The Golf Watch didn't call it.  Buick golf marketing manager Larry Peck announced earlier today that Tiger Woods will be playing at this year's Buick Open at Warwick Hills. 

In order to retain full PGA Tour membership privileges, Woods needs to compete in at least 15 tournaments.  With this latest injury, the tournament is a necessity for the world's number one golfer if he wants to avoid playing in the fall finish.

Mediate, Verplank, Bateman, share lead

Rocco Mediate, Scott Verplank, and Brian Bateman share the second-round lead at 9-under-par as the afternoon groups tee off at the Buick Open.  Mediate, who led after the first round, shot a 1-under 71 with four birdies and three bogeys on his card.  Scott Verplank shot a 69, which included six birdies, a double-bogey on the par-4 18th hole, and a bogey on his final hole, the 9th. 

Low scores at Buick Open

45 players are already under par at the Buick Open, only 2 1/2 hours into the first round.  There are more players under par on the course, than even par or worse. 

Buick Open officials expect decrease in attendance, interest

For the first time since 2001, Tiger Woods will be skipping the Buick Open at Warwick Hills.  Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press writes, "This week at the Buick Open, tournament officials will get a really good idea just how much impact the dominant player of the last decade has had on their event."  Monarrez reports that officials don't anticipate a huge drop-off in ticket sales, but said that "Woods' absence would affect attendance and interest."