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Tiger Woods today is seeking his first PGA Tour win since '13 at the Valspar Championship, and with his presence, attendance records "have already been shattered" and TV ratings have been "through the roof." The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort yesterday was "filled to capacity," and "hopeful optimism gave way to bona fide fervor" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 3/10). Yesterday saw "arguably the largest crowd" in the tourney's history (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/11).
On Friday, when Woods gained a temporary lead, fans "crashed the PGA Tour's app" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/11). Golf Channel's Charlie Rymer said with Woods contending, "People that don’t normally watch, they watch" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 3/11). ESPN’s Michael Collins said, “I've talked to a couple of volunteers that have worked here since the tournament's been here, and they all said the same thing. They have never, ever seen crowds this big" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/10). It "isn’t too dramatic to say that, given how far Woods has fallen from his dominant days, a win Sunday might be as significant as any" in his career (N.Y. POST, 3/11). Woods began the final round one shot back of leader Corey Conners (THE DAILY).
