Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The most obvious change at the AT&T National is moving to Aronimink Golf Club, a tree-lined classic in the Philadelphia suburbs that will host the tournament the next two years as Congressional prepares for a U.S. Open.

Not so obvious is the role Tiger Woods is playing this week.

He is still the defending champion. He is no longer the host.

AT&T was the second corporate sponsor to end its endorsement deal with the world's No. 1 player, although not entirely. It agreed to remain as title sponsor of the tournament, which Woods has hosted since it began in 2007. And the net proceeds continue to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is building a second learning center in the United States.

It's an awkward relationship.