Tiger's out, but don't tune out.
Kevin Stadler. Scott Stallings. Chesson Hadley. Steven Bowditch. Those are some of the names already engraved on winner's trophies this season on the PGA Tour. Watching those guys hoist hardware might not thrill the casual Sunday viewer like a Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson celebration would, but those who can enjoy a wide-open field are already fist-pumping — and it's not even Masters week yet.
Golf's two most recognizable faces have been battling injuries and have combined to make only $452,341 this season, or about $100,000 less than what Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays each banked for second place last week in the Texas Open.
And now Woods has announced he's on the shelf indefinitely after back surgery. Just how long he's out remains a mystery, but we know for sure the world's No. 1 player will miss next week's Masters for the first time in his professional career.
In a PGA Tour season so far that has featured five winners from outside the World Golf Ranking top 100, here are some not-so-obvious names to watch next week at Augusta:
Harris English
Budding 24-year-old star with two wins on tour. Played college golf at nearby University of Georgia.
Best Masters finish: First invitation
Matt Every
Product of the Golf Channel's "Big Break" series won his first PGA Tour event last month in Arnold Palmer's tournament. Third on tour on all-important par-5s.
