PGA season tees off without Woods, Mickelson

MIAMI – An “opening ceremony” has been planned, featuring Hawaii’s renowned Kings Guard drill team and a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre will serve as honorary starter.

Dress it up how you wish, the PGA Tour’s season opener still won’t have the two components it needs for a truly big-bang start.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Woods will skip the Mercedes-Benz Championship beginning today in Kapalua, Hawaii, for the third consecutive year. Mickelson stopped coming years ago.

That is like baseball conducting Opening Day with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Dodgers in extended spring training.

“It’s just unfortunate,” defending champion Vijay Singh said. “It’s a big event, and I think everybody should be grateful that we have a big event to play in.”

Not that Woods and Mickelson are the only no-shows. British Open champion Padraig Harrington is staying behind in Ireland, and Adam Scott called to say he needs a longer break.

That leaves Singh and world No. 3 Jim Furyk to carry the banner in the event for 2007 tournament winners. Many fans, meanwhile, will mark their calendar for Jan. 24, when Woods and Mickelson converge at Torrey Pines for the “real” opening splash.