Golf: Woods takes a hiding

Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite break from golf - and now the sport and those who play it at the top level must get used to a scenario where the game's talisman is missing.

Woods has electrified the game since his arrival back in the 1990s, and is regarded as the reason for the large amount of money that has flowed into the sport since.

Television ratings rocket when he is playing; they are much reduced when he is not. His very presence has therefore benefited his rivals, too.

"If he's out for an extended period of time it's going to have a tremendous effect on golf and sports in general," David Dusek, senior editor for Sports Illustrated's golf group, told CNN.

"TV ratings will be dramatically down. It will be tremendously damaging to the health of the sport and just to the general buzz."

US golf ratings plunged by half when Woods was out with a knee injury for much of last year.

The next three major tournaments - the Masters in April at Augusta National, the US Open in June at Pebble Beach and the British Open in July at St Andrews, will all be played on courses where Woods has won a major crown.

Yet fellow pro Steve Stricker said yesterday: "I think this is the proper move."

Stricker was in Naples, Florida, playing in the Shark Shootout. Stricker was Woods' partner two months ago at the Presidents Cup.

"I think it shows he wants to make things right. He's shown that he wants to make a better commitment to his family. Golf is always going to be there and waiting for him when he gets things in order," Stricker told ESPN.

"Nobody knows the situation between him and [wife] Elin. I hope and pray they can work it out and move on - if that's at all possible."

However, not all other golfers were so forgiving. In another interview, Swedish star Jesper Parnevik reinforced criticism of Woods. Parnevik and his wife Mia introduced Woods to Elin Nordegren when she was a nanny to their children.

Parnevik remains close to Nordegren, even referring to her, at times, as a little sister.

"I'm sure she felt very lonely and very small in this whole hoopla and chaos when her whole world was turned upside down in pretty much 24 hours ..." Parnevik said.

"I was just shocked and very disappointed in the whole thing and I really, truly felt for her and the situation she all of a sudden ended up in.

"I told her this is the guy that I think is everything you want. He's true. He's honest. He has great values. He has everything you would want in a guy. And, uhh, I was wrong."

Woods has given no indication when he might return to competitive golf.

It will be the second straight year that a PGA Tour season begins without its star.

A year ago, Woods was recovering from reconstructive knee surgery that kept him out for a total of eight months.

"We knew he was coming back then," said Stricker. "Now, we're not sure when he's coming back. We'll miss him, for sure."

The PGA Tour, who must be quailing at losing their star turn, supported the decision.

"His priorities are where they need to be, and we will continue to respect and honour his family's request for privacy," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement, the tour's first public comment on the issue.

"We look forward to Tiger's return to the PGA Tour when he determines the time is right for him."

Woods' agent Mark Steinberg said that it was the right decision for Woods and his family.

"The entirety of someone's life is more important than just a professional career," Steinberg said in an email to the Associated Press.

"What matters most is a young family trying to cope with difficult life issues in a caring way. Whenever Tiger may return to the game should be on the family's terms alone."

"Tiger's been part of Nike for more than a decade," the sponsor said. "He's the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. He and his family have Nike's full support."

Another Woods sponsor, AT&T Corp, said, "we support Tiger's decision and our thoughts will be with him and his family. We are presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him".