There's no question about the magnetic impact of Tiger Woods in golf, especially a tournament's interest and TV ratings when he's not playing.

Phil's not playing? That's OK, let him spend quality time with his kids. Retief? No matter. Padraig? Padraig who?

But say it isn't so, Tiger.

Like it or not, the 2005 Mercedes Championships beginning today at Kapalua's Plantation Course with its new greens just isn't the same without Tiger.

It's a disappointment not only to the fans but to the players as well.

"There's just a little something missing," admits Bart Bryant, one of the 28 players in the elite field in the PGA Tour's season opener.

It's still going to be a fabulous week and there are great players here no question, adds Bryant, who won the Memorial and the Tour Championship to make his second visit to Kapalua in as many years.

Trying for a rare three-peat is Stuart Appleby, and among his immediate challengers are Vijay Singh, who's hoping his 10th appearance will result in his first victory; previous winners Sergio Garcia (2002) and Jim Furyk (2001); and reigning U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell, one of 11 first-timers in the event.

Still, it's not the same minus Tiger, which won't help ESPN in its prime-time telecasts of the event each day, especially on the weekend when they figure to be a ratings mismatch against the National Football League playoffs.

That this year's event is not only Tigerless but has its smallest field in 10 years has raised a few eyebrows, notably that of Mark Rolfing, a Maui resident who is a golf analyst for NBC and the Golf Channel.

Rolfing wonders if it's time that the Mercedes Championships gets some tweaking by going to a two-year exemption, much like what the PGA has done for the MasterCard Championship at Hualalai, the Champions Tour's season opener.

Instead of just being limited to the previous year's winners, the MasterCard Championship at the Hualalai Resort has opened it up to the winners over a two-year period.

"It's not without a precedent," says Rolfing, who points out that the Mercedes field is getting smaller as guys like Woods, Singh and that Phil, Mickelson, continue to dominate the PGA Tour.

The three combined to win 14 of last year's tour events.

It's not about to change. So it's not surprising that it'll always be the same bunch of usual suspects lining up for a free ticket to Kapalua, Maui.

A smaller Mercedes field results in a double whammy for golf in Hawai'i, according to Rolfing.

"The Sony Open is also affected. It means fewer players hanging around another week for the Sony Open in Hawai'i," Rolfing said.

"My concern is not only about the Mercedes but the negative impact its small field has on Sony."

Had there been a two-year eligibility, this year's Mercedes field could have had 20 players who won in 2004 but didn't win last year, most notably Ernie Els, Mike Weir, John Daly and Stewart Cink.

"I think Els would have played in the Sony Open if he had been in the Mercedes Championships," Rolfing said.

At least Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, and Cink will be playing in the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club next week, joining 23 others from the Mercedes field who have committed to play in the PGA Tour's first full-field event.

With David Duval making a comeback bid and, of course, the presence of Michelle Wie, for once the Sony Open might upstage the Mercedes Championships this year.

Still, the Mercedes remains the class event that it is because it's for champions only, according to Gary Planos, Kapalua vice president and tournament chairman.

"We like the champions-only requirement and we'll stay where we are," Planos said.

"Right now we think this year is an anomaly and we're viewing it that way. We're trying to react to this as a one-time thing."

You hear that, Tiger?

2006 MERCEDES CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHAT: PGA Tour season-opening event featuring 28 of the 2005 tournament champions

WHERE: Kapalua Plantation Course (Par 36-37—73, 7,263 yards)

WHEN: Today through Sunday, starts at 11:10 a.m. each day

PURSE: $5.4 million ($1,080,000 first prize, plus a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S500

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Stuart Appleby (21-under 271)

TICKETS: Season pass $80. Daily prices $20 today and tomorrow, $30 Saturday and Sunday. Children (16-under) free with ticket-holding adult.

TELEVISION: ESPN (times tentative) — 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day

FREE SHUTTLE: From West Maui locations. Call (808) 669-2440 for schedule