PGA Tour Returns, Sort Of

The PGA Tour returns for 2008 with the playing of the limited field Mercedes Benz Championship in Hawaii this week. It is the tournament of champions for the Tour. The problem is that the two greatest champions currently playing on Tour have no place in the event - by their own volition.

Tiger Woods will not open his season until the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, home of this year's US Open. Philly Mick usually takes off until the Hopez, but he is skipping that event for the first time since 2001. Speculation is that he is unhappy with the new course rota that was very windy and not much fun last year. He is scheduled to begin in San Diego too.

Still, Vijay Singh emerges as the favorite among the players in the field. Jim Furyk usually does well in Hawaii and is in the field. Two time and defending Comeback Player of the Year winner Steve Stricker will also be around and may contend.