Tiger Woods has announced that he has elected to have additional surgery on his troubled left knee.  Doctors will repair his anterior cruciate ligament and coupled with the time needed to rehab a double stress fracture of his left tibia - which apparently was discovered prior to the Memorial Tournament in late May - Tigers' season is over. 

Woods originally ruptured the ACL in 2007 while running at his home in Orlando after the British Open. He decided not to have surgery at that point, and he went on to win five of the next six events he entered - including his own Target World Challenge in December.  Woods finally addressed the problem and had arthroscopic knee surgery in April, two days after finishing second in The Masters.  A date has not yet been determined for his upcoming surgery.

"I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time. I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the U.S. Open," said Woods on his Web site. "Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."  "While I am obviously disappointed to have to miss the remainder of the season, I have to do the right thing for my long-term health and look forward to returning to competitive golf when my doctors agree that my knee is sufficiently healthy."  "My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects."

So there it is.  Like a flick of a switch the excitement, heartbeat, buzz, aura, chi, whatever the intangible is that surrounds Tiger Woods, has just been snuffed out.  Shhhhh, are those vomiting noises I hear?  Why yes, they come from anyone involved in profiting from the play of PGA Tour professionals.  Corporate sponsors, television networks, national advertisers and a small outfit called FedEx are but a few of the folks currently sick to their stomachs.  Multi-million dollar revenue reductions can often induce lunch loss, or so I'm told. 

Better get while the gettin's good boys - He won't be gone long

Conversely, a distinct snickering can be heard emanating from the Mickelson and Faldo households.  Okay lefty, the door to increased fame and fortune is not only ajar, it's been flung wide open, so time to put-up or shut-up near as I can tell.  And Nick, if the Ryder Cup is removed from European hands this year, you'll want to look into U.S. citizenship.

I'll be honest, I was rootin' for Rocco to win at Torrey Pines, but that playoff in San Diego would have lacked much of its luster had Tiger not been involved.  Like him or not, his ability to conjure greatness when only greatness will suffice, is almost eerie.  He's the author of most of the greatest golf shots I've ever seen, and that's why I watch.  His next swing, chip or putt could produce magic.  And I mean that literally. 

But if you have to bow out for a while, I can't think of a better way to go.  Limp into San Diego one leg short of a healthy pair, grind out 91-holes of roller coaster golf and lay claim to one of the most coveted and difficult to attain prizes in all of golfdom.  Only then do you inform the rest of the best who play for pay that you just bested them all with one knee tied behind your back.  Exit strategies don't get any better than that!

And oh by the way, the vomiting became so acute for Paul Azinger; he's been hospitalized for observation......