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The term “conspicuous by his absence” has never had more relevance that at this week’s British Open here and the missing man is Tiger Woods.
The world’s wealthiest and most charismatic sportsman is taking the rest of the year off to put right the damage his muscular swing has inflicted on his left knee over the last two decades.
But though he may be an ocean away he is still the topic of all conversations at the Royal Birkdale links ahead of Thursday’s tee-off.
Come Sunday this year’s “champion golfer” will inevitably have to face questions of whether or not his triumph is in any way diminished by the fact that the best player in the world could not compete.
The consensus among the big names gathered in west Lancashire is that Woods’ absence will in no way detract from the prestige of winning golf’s oldest and most fabled tournament.
Mark O’Meara, who won here 10 years ago, the last time The Open was played at Royal Birkdale, and who is a close friend of Woods, said that the magic of the Open was intact.
“Even as great as Tiger Woods is and as much of a fan as I am of Tiger’s and I know what he has meant to the game over the last 11 years, I think even he would admit this: No player, no matter who it is, is bigger than the game itself, not even Tiger,” O’Meara said.
Same sentiments from Sergio Garcia who has been installed as bookie’s favourite in place of three-times winner Woods.
“With all due respect, the Open is bigger than any of us even Tiger Woods,” the Spaniard said.
“And if I happen to never play golf again or Tiger happens to never play golf again, the Open will still be played and that’s the most important thing.
“If I manage to win this week I’m not going to go ‘oh I won the British Open but Tiger wasn’t there.’
“I’ll still have the Claret Jug, which is the most important thing.”
What is certain is that Woods’ withdrawal from Royal Birkdale in the week following his astonishing triumph at the US Open in California was a big blow to the crowds that flock each year to watch him display his unique skills on the finest links courses in the world.
Ticket sales, however, have been brisk and the course was packed with fans for the practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday.
Asked if he felt some of the excitement had gone out of this year’s tournament due to Woods’ absence, his Ryder Cup partner Jim Furyk said he thought not.
“Do I feel less of a buzz? Not really,” he said.
“I’m sure there’s probably in total number less (media) outlets, especially the outlets that usually don’t cover golf and that show up because of a Tiger Woods.
“But as for all the hard core media I’m sure everyone is here that usually is here.
“As far as the asterisk is concerned, I just don’t see that.
“Whoever wins here, twenty years from now they’re not going to say, well, he was the British Open champion in 2008, but by the way, Tiger Woods wasn’t there – no-one is going to care.
“It’s not going to go down in history that way.”
Not everyone agrees.
Tom Watson, who won the British Open five times and understands and respects the history and tradition of the tournament as well as anyone said that Woods’ absence hurts the tournament.
“I’m sure it’ll be diminished some when the top player isn’t there just like in anything, any sport,” he said.
Others, like Ernie Els, see it as a golden opportunity.
“You don’t want to see a guy hurt like that,” he commented. “I had that injury and it was not a lot of fun.
“But it’s an opportunity for a lot of guys and I’m one of them.”