This Week at WorldGolf.com: April 22, 2008

Will Tiger's knee surgery mean the PGA Tour's other players will learn how to win?

Tiger Woods has been so dominant on the PGA Tour for so long that one simple truth has emerged - he's infantilized the opposition.

To test this, just look at the recent majors where Woods was a non-factor. Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington put on an exciting show at the 2007 British Open - exciting mostly due to the fact that neither could bring themselves to close the show. At the recent Masters Trevor Immelman was virtually unchallenged, yet still nearly collapsed at the end. If Woods had made just one more birdie to close the gap, it's quite possible the South African star could have completely imploded.

So now, with Woods out for the time being, is the time for PGA Tour players to start to grow up when it comes to competition. For too long, they've done little more than give furtive glances at Woods as he sped to victory after victory. Non-Woods victories normally come down to one player having a good week while the rest of the field continues it's Woods-era game plan of aiming for a top-10 finish.

Thus far, the signs are hit and miss. Boo Weekley showed he is capable of being a champion by cashing in on his second consecutive Verizon Heritage victory. But those behind Weekley going into the final round - a group that included Jim Furyk and Ernie Els - did little to pressure Weekley. Boo's win, however, overshadows the lameness of the rest of the field when it comes to challenging a leader with personality and an intriguing game, it's not such a big leap to view Weekley as a player to watch as the years progress.

So as the PGA Tour heads toward the U.S. Open with Tiger on the sidelines, one can only wonder if players will finally grow out of their Tiger-enforced infantilization. Because the prize for growing up fast should be big - after all, the last time Woods came off a layoff to play the U.S. Open, he missed the cut. While the circumstances are wildly different as to why he's out this time, the fact is that the U.S. Open will be anyone's to win. Provided someone steps up to prove himself a winner.

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Susan Choi chasing her long-shot dreams on The Golf Channel's Big Break Kaanapali

Susan Choi's refreshingly joyful golf attitude is featured prominently in Big Break Kaanapali. In a golf world of cold-hearted killer stares, Choi jumps up and down after good shots, smiles like you don't get charged for every grin, just genuinely seems happy to be playing. The only amateur among this season's contestants, the 23-year-old Choi took anything but the typical phenom track to Kaanapali.

Video: Get to know Big Break Kaanapali's Susan Choi

Bold new Under Armour muscles its way into golf apparel

Under Armour, a relatively new athletic apparel brand, is joining the golf market with its own line of bold, performance-enhancing gear. They've set out to take a chunk out of bigger, more established athletic apparel companies like Nike and Addidas, Brandon Tucker writes.

Also: WorldGolf.com's Equipment Room

Make tracks to Skidaway Island, home of The Landings community and its six excellent golf courses

The Landings on Skidaway Island, a golf community that takes up 4,500 of the island's 6,500 acres, is a golfer's paradise to anyone looking for a laid-back, golf-intense retreat in a gorgeous coastal Georgia setting. All of the six courses are very good - not a dud among them - with similarities like tree-lined fairways and beautiful marsh views, Tim McDonald writes.

Course review: The Landings' Plantation Course

CLIENT FEATURE The Bridges at Preston Crossings: Where luxury meets family activity The Bridges at Preston Crossings, the swiftest-selling community in North Dallas offers residents spacious lots, including fairway and cul-de-sac home sites, all surrounded by a spectacular country setting that features rolling hills, glistening ponds and majestic trees. And if that weren't enough, The Bridges at Preston Crossings also features its own 18-hole championship golf course designed by Fred Couples. For more information, call (866) 386-0817. Also: Get more info about The Bridges at Preston Crossings