The announcement that Tiger Woods would miss the remainder of the 2008 golf season sent shock waves around the golf world. Tournament officials, media analysts and sports pundits from around the globe spent all day Wednesday trying to assess the impact of the stunning news.

Woods was last seen in public late Monday afternoon walking with a pronounced limp across Torrey Pines toward the parking lot, the U.S. Open trophy in his arms.

Upcoming surgery makes his 14th major title even more staggering — despite the stress fractures, he managed to win a U.S. Open that required five days of flinching, grimacing and a long list of spectacular shots that have defined his career. He will miss a major for the first time in his career — the British Open next month at Royal Birkdale and the PGA Championship in August at Oakland Hills, where Woods is the two-time defending champion. Woods also will miss the Ryder Cup in September, meaning the ninth player on the U.S. standings will qualify for the team.

How will it affect interest in golf? For a short time it will hurt the viewership, listenership, and readership. But people came back to golf after Bobby Jones retired, boxing after Jack Dempsey, and baseball after Joe Dimaggio. There will always be new stars, but none of them may match the playing ability or charisma of Tiger Woods.

It is sad to see one of the worlds best players out but i think we all have to remember that golf has had quite the number of great players, although we will miss Tiger, golf goes on and it will give us a chance to see more of the less spoken names out there on the course.

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS //