Minus Woods, British Open Playoff Lacks Drama

It was a tremendous day of celebration for Padraig Harrington, who won his first major at the British Open this evening at Carnoustie.

His wife and parents must be ecstatic. Sergio Garcia, whom Harrington beat in a four-hole playoff, must be devastated.

But does anyone else care?

Harrington has had a couple of top 10 finishes in prior majors, but he's no threat to become a dominating force in the sport. Garcia, who is arguably the more talented of the two, only solidified his reputation as a poor finisher, a guy who can't come up big when push comes to shove.

Mostly, though, the major tournament demonstrated how badly the sport needs Tiger Woods. Or more specifically, a nemesis for Tiger Woods.

Woods, who undoubtedly lacked focus following the birth of his first child last month, finished tied for 12th. Yet even those who root against Tiger had to wish that he had been contending today.

When Tiger's in it, which he usually is, the final round takes on an entirely different flavor. When he's not, tournaments -- even those that end in playoffs -- just seem bland.

Is it too much to ask for another golfer to step and challenge Tiger Woods, to push him to become an even greater golfer? Perhaps. But two-and-a-half years ago, who could have imagined that anyone in this generation could challenge Roger Federer?

Whether it be Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, or some golfer we've never heard of, golf needs its Rafael Nadal now more than ever.