The tournament is for winners only. Only golfers who won on the PGA Tour in 2009 are eligible. Tiger Woods won't be there, of course. Woods (like Phil Mickelson) hasn't played the season-opener in years. In Woods' case, he last played this tournament in 2005, usually by choice, although in 2009 due to his knee surgery. (Mickelson stopped played the Mercedes after 2001.)
We know nothing about Woods' plans for 2010. Perhaps not even Tiger knows what his plans are this year. When will he return to action? A possible hint was dropped by the PGA Tour's Ty Votaw after AT&T announced it was canceling its sponsorship of Woods. Votaw said AT&T will remain as sponsor of the AT&T National, the tournament hosted by Tiger Woods, but that Woods will not host the event in 2010.
Does that mean the Tour knows Woods won't play until some time after the AT&T National (first week of July)? Votaw said no. Might it mean, as some have speculated, that Woods is under suspension by the PGA Tour? The Tour doesn't announce or discuss its suspensions, but Votaw specifically refuted that rumor.
The truth is, we know almost nothing about what is going on with Woods. There are tons of rumors and anonymously sourced reports floating around, but scant few confirmable facts.
Many golf journalists believe Woods will be back on the links in time for The Masters, which - both in terms of fan control and media interaction - is the most tightly controlled tournament of the year. A few have suggested that Woods won't be back on the PGA Tour at all in 2010. What do you think? Vote in the poll:
Comments
I find it very hard to believe that Tiger will miss the Masters. I agree that this would be a perfect event to come back to with the less than raucous crows. Bayhill as a warm up would be good but that would be an absolute circus.