Tiger's got 'em by the tail.

Well, Tiger Woods is back playing on the PGA Tour.  Guess I'll start watching the PGA Tour again.  I haven't watched a match on TV since Tiger last played in the 2008 US Open.  Tiger is unbelievably vital to the health of the Tour.  TV ratings have slipped as much as 50% since he's been on the disabled list.  I'd consider myself a hardcore golf fan and I have no interest in watching a Tiger-less PGA Tour.  That's not good for the PGA's brand.  

Someone has to step up and legitimately challenge Tiger.  It may take some time for that to happen.  You see, Tiger even has the best players in the world believing that he's untouchable. That's hard to imagine, but have you seen the latest Nike Golf TV spot celebrating Tiger's return to the game? It shows "other" great golfers living it up and enjoying life on Tour without Tiger -- then Tiger walks in the locker room and these guys clam up when they realize that he's back and their good times are over.  These are REAL professional golfers -- top PGA pros who won tournaments in the past 12 months -- not actors.  Tiger's got 'em all by the tail.

Can you imagine Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson or Gary Player EVER doing a spot like this with Jack Nicklaus?  I guarantee it would have NEVER happened.  Nicklaus was the best of his time, but other players didn't lay down for him like today's players do for Tiger.

I love the Nike spot.  But, I think it exposes a big problem for the PGA brand.  Please, someone step up for the future of the Tour.  Phil? You've lost weight.  How 'bout it, man?

Who do you think could help save the PGA brand?

- Butch