Without Tiger, Masters has less bite

AUGUSTA, Ga. >> Walking the hallowed grounds on Wednesday, one thing quickly came to mind — there weren’t as many troublesome patrons at the final practice round of the Masters.

The one day where nearly everyone is invited just didn’t have the same feel thanks to the recent departure of one Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods. Say what you will about the greatest golfer of this generation — and everybody seems to these days — when he’s in the field, folks pack the stands.

They come to see what might happen next in the Land of Woods, good or otherwise. And without him here for the first time in nearly 20 years, there’s a big hole no one can fill. It’s like the "Seinfeld" episode "The Understudy" — no Bette Mid-e-ler? You almost want your 10 grand back that you spent for a four-day pass. Granted, there are many wonderful players teeing it up on the most famous golf course in the world, including Phil Mickelson, defending champion Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, and senior citizens Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and Fred Couples.

But without the 38-year-old Woods, who seems to be going on 50 thanks to a string of injuries an NFL veteran would embrace, it’s a week of character actors without the leading man. You have a huge rookie Masters class, who fantasy golfers know as well as their own mothers. But ask a casual fan about Patrick Reed and the other 16 professional first-timers here like Steve Bowditch, Matt Every, or even Sony Open champ Jimmy Walker, and a blank stare has more intrigue.

Interestingly enough, the sidelined Woods is partly responsible for this new breed of golfer. Of the top eight swing men in the current FedEx Cup standings, five are playing here for the first time. They emulate Woods with a certain swagger and belief in themselves and will try to become the first Masters rookie to win since Fuzzy Zoeller became the third golfer to manage that Masters feat in 1979.

Most pundits theorize that you need experience with the undulating greens — and how best to approach them — to win here. It’s not enough to be long off the tee or have a short game to die for. Generally speaking, if you don’t know the greens better than your own face, you don’t know diddly. But there’s a consensus among veteran golfers here that Woods helped build a better brand of player, who has the belief system needed to succeed on any world stage.

As for Woods, the old man better not sit on the sidelines too long, lest we forget about him. His recent back surgery will keep him from competing with his PGA Tour colleagues for as long as five months. Knowing Woods, he will do whatever is necessary to be back as soon as possible. But while he’s away, it’s best to acquaint yourself with this new breed of cat who figures to be here for a while.

They not only have game, they have confidence that Woods helped teach them en route to 14 major championships and 79 tour wins. He is second only to Jack Nicklaus in majors and Sam Snead in victories, and still believes both records are within his grasp. Perhaps.

But to do so, he will have to step over an emerging group of golfers making their presence felt at this week’s opening major of 2014. They probably won’t produce a winner, but then again, they might. And they have Woods to thank if they do.

Reach Paul Arnett at parnett@staradvertiser.com or 529-4786.