ZealousGolfer.com

Most golf fans probably realize that the game has changed shape at this point in the season due to the absence of Tiger Woods. For those wishing for the appearance of Tiger in some form or another, that scenario will not occur at this year's installment of the Ryder Cup.

Indeed, Tiger has turned down the assistant captain job which would have given him the opportunity to be part of the American team during the battle at Valhalla in Kentucky during the fall.

His reasoning? Tiger wrote on his website: "I wouldn't do it for a couple reasons. No. 1: I'm not on the team. No. 2: The event should be about the competitors and the competition. The guys will have plenty on their minds and I wish them the best. I'll be cheering loudly."

Personally, I think Tiger made the right move on this one. A) I don't think it is ever a bad thing to avoid the spotlight when trying to rehab an injury, especially at the height of a player's fame. But B), the untested American team that will represent the nation this year may ultimately rally around the situation with the knowledge that they will not be able to rely on the biggest gun of all, Tiger Woods.

So, for now, it appears that golf will retain its current excitement into the last event of interest this season.