Although I love the game of golf, I fully understand why it's not a big draw in the TV ratings department. In the give-it-to-me-now world we live in, golf on TV simply doesn't provide viewers with enough action to satisfy us, and when it does, it usually takes longer than a cross-country flight to present itself. Because of his greatness and because of his persona, Tiger Woods remains the exception to golf's boring rule.

No matter if he's 10 strokes up and looking to establish a new course record or slapping down another challenger who thought he was ready to take down the game's best ever, an event with Tiger in the field is instantly ready for prime time while one without him is more suited for a Sunday morning time slot going head-to-head with the 700 Club.

So it's understandable then why PGA Tour officials are jumping for joy as Tiger returns to the Tour this week after an eight-month absence to repair a nagging knee injury. And it wasn't just commissioner Tim Finchem rejoicing either. Thousands of fans joined Woods in Arizona on Tuesday, as Tiger made his official return at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships. While huge galleries are commonplace for Tiger, they are usually reserved for in-tournament rounds not meaningless practice rounds. But there they were, Tiger's legions of fans skipping out of work to watch the return of golf's greatest player ever. Did I mention this was a practice round with the real tournament scheduled to get underway on Wednesday when Tiger will undoubtedly take out his eight-month-long frustration on Australia's Brendan Jones.

The PGA Tour needs Tiger even more than Mickey Rourke needs a new hairdo. More than Jessica Simpson needs a new personal trainer. More than A-Rod needs a Selena Roberts detector, and more than the "Slumdog Millionaire" producer Christian Colson needs a bigger trophy case. The point is, the PGA Tour is back, baby. Tiger has come to save the day yet again and we're all happy he did. I'm blaming every Sunday afternoon nap I've taken in the last eight months on his absence. Time to wake up and see what Tiger's up to now.