British Open 2011: 10 Reasons Tiger Woods Will Be Missed from Tournament

His name. His demeanor. His game.

Yes, Tiger Woods took all of that with him when he announced he would not be coming to Royal St. George's for the 2011 British Open.

He also took with him a chance to be a hot topic amongst European tabloids and the European press that just love a good story, whether the 36-year-old is playing well or hitting his ball so far into sand traps or into the thick rough that you need a map to navigate through.

Here is a look at the top 10 reasons we will miss him for this week's events.

10. He Still Brings Excitement to the Game

He can be playing lights out like he has at Pebble Beach in 2000, or he can stink up the joint like he did earlier this year at TPC in Ponte Vedra.

It does not matter.

Tiger Woods is still a major component to golf in America and worldwide. Having him at the Open means excitement for everyone associated with the sport.

9. It Means More Media Coverage for American Golfers

Whether it is Bubba Watson, Nick Watney or even Phil Mickelson, just having Tiger there means there will be more focus on American golf. Period.

If Tiger is paired with Americans, you can be sure the cameras will be following them around for 18 holes, which allows no-name golfers to get their game seen by millions of viewers.

8. He Means More Television Ratings for ESPN

Mike Tirico and the crew will be licking their chops, and we may be able to see something really special.

Actually, anytime Tiger is on television, it means a chance for more advertising, sponsors, etc. It also means people will be tuning in to see if he fails or succeeds.

7. He Is Not Just a Name, He Is a Brand

His success leads to more success for Nike, etc. He is not just the name, he is all that encompasses it. From his hat to his outfits to his clubs to his bag.

No one is more scrutinized than Tiger Woods.

Sometimes, this is unfairly done, but when you set out to be the best, you have that moniker on your back, sometimes for the rest of your career.

6. A Chance at Another Major

Right now, he is at 14 and holding. Before, it was only a matter of time before Tiger Woods would eclipse every golf record there was, and that includes Jack Nicklaus and the 18 majors he won.

Now it is not a formality, rather a question of whether it can be done.

Tiger needs another major championship to validate him as one who can still compete and play the game the way Tiger only can.

5. Can He Keep Up With the Foreign Invasion?

Steve Stricker is the highest ranking golfer by the new World Golf Rankings. Foreign golfers like Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy are tearing up the field on a regular basis.

And if anyone is counting, American golf needs a major win sometime soon.

It would be great to see the older Woods go out there and show the youngsters how it is done.

4. If He Is Near the Lead on Sunday, His Name Gets People’s Attention

Just the idea of seeing Woods' name within the top five of the lead on the final day could play into the minds of golfers who have not competed with him on a final day of play in a major championship.

It used to be that Woods being out there on a Sunday in his Cardinal Red was enough to make grown men shudder.

Maybe a fierce Tiger coming from the pack could spell trouble for others and make for great theater.

3. He Pushes Others to Be Better

Every great golfer needs someone to push them. Tiger does that for so many. Look at how many golfers says they wanted to be like him when they were younger, and he is the reason why they picked up a club in the first place.

And when it comes to final play on a Sunday, his determination inspires others to play their best golf.

Tiger Woods' appearance could mean some of the best golf played by tour players when the game mattered the most.

2. Rory vs. Tiger

The Classic Joust. The media and the golf world would love to see the greatest golfer to play the game face the person who could unseat him as the best to every play the game.

McIlroy was very gracious last month in stating that Tiger pushes him to be the best and allows him to strive to be the best ever,

A confrontation for the ages.

1. He Could Be American Golf's Only Hope

Because of the domination of late by Europeans and other foreign golfers, Tiger may be the only player who can tame the rough course.

British courses are never easy and right now, the Euros are beating Americans and beating them badly.

If there is one golfer who has the swing, drive, distance and mental game to win on foreign soil, it is Tiger Woods.