Tiger Woods today returns to the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open after the "longest absence of his career," and this week "feels different, looks different, sounds different" than his previous returns to competitive golf, according to Steve DiMeglio of USA TODAY. The buzz "seems to have a different aura" based on the "volume of enthusiasm and anticipation shared by Woods, his rivals and fans." Tournament Dir Peter Ripa said that the Internet "blew up" when Woods announced on Jan. 4 that he would play this week. Ripa added that that there were 573 online articles on 385 outlets that "mentioned Woods and Farmers Insurance Open" within the first 12 hours of the announcement. The tournament’s website "saw an increase of 226% in traffic the day Woods committed to play." Online ticket sales are "up 159% from last year, although sales were tempered" in '16 because of "foul weather." Jordan Spieth said, "There’s a fun buzz within the players because we all want an opportunity to go head-to-head with him. That’s why we got into this, not to play for second, but to have a chance to take down the top couple greatest to ever play the game" (USA TODAY, 1/26). In San Diego, Jeff Sanders writes Woods "might cast the largest shadow this week at Torrey Pines even as a low man on the totem pole." He is "the talk of Torrey Pines." PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said, "The impact is felt in so many ways. From simply walking around and seeing the energy in the crowds to seeing the energy in the coverage leading into the tournament, not just here in San Diego, but through the country and the world. I think that there’s great anticipation" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/26).
MEET THE NEW BOSS: ESPN.com's Jason Sobel wrote Monahan, in his first month in the role, "brings what could be considered a more affable personality to the role" than his predecessor, Tim Finchem. Monahan is 23 years younger than Finchem, which should "enable him to relate to the current membership." On Tuesday night, Monahan "met with this week's field in a mandatory player meeting, addressing them for the first time as a group." Woods: "Jay's very talented and ingenious in getting creative." Brandt Snedeker said of Monahan, "Spend five minutes with him, and you're going to be a fan" (ESPN.com, 1/25). Asked about his greatest concern for golf's future, Monahan said, "The media landscape is changing by the day, by the week, and the way that is evolving creates a level of uncertainty." Monahan said the level of uncertainty is "less about how the media will involve, it’s about how the fan and how individuals will consume it." He said the Tour is "really trying to understand where this is all going from the standpoint of your fan, those that exist today and those that don’t yet know they exist." Monahan: "When you look at our charter, which is to maximize playing and financial opportunities for our players, to grow this game, to create a great outlet for volunteers and for charities, you’ve got to get that part of the equation right because all this is underpinned by great companies that have great purpose" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/26).
