PGA Might Get Hurt By Tiger Woods Scandal

For the past 10 years, Tiger Woods has been a staple at the PGA tour–the most watched and most heavily promoted golfing event. Woods didn’t show up at the Chevron World Challenge on Sunday. CBS News reports that the cost of Wood’s self proclaimed “sins” may be very high:

The private conduct – or misconduct – of Tiger Woods has brought with it potentially devastating public consequences to the sport of golf he has come to dominate, consequences that could add up to hundreds of millions of dollars.

“Tiger Woods is the face of golf. He dominates the port as no athlete says since the 1920′s and Babe Ruth,” said Kurt Badenhausen, an editor at Forbes magazine.

Golf.com reports that Woods provides a huge boost to golf ratings whenever he’s on the air:

Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: I see the Tiger Effect in full force — for his first tournament back. After that, it depends on how Woods performs. If he’s winning every time he tees it up, big ratings. If not, I see interest slipping.

Dick Friedman, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: I agree to an extent. Long term, I think it will be hard for anyone to look at Tiger in the same way ever again. However, much depends on the next move by Elin. If she decides to continue with the marriage, and they get counseling, and there’s contrition as well as evidence that Tiger has changed his stripes, the Tiger Effect can remain in force. Then, as Jim notes, it will all depend on how he does on the course.