by Ron Green Jr., The Charlotte Observer, N.C. , The Charlotte Observer

The winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship, with its high-definition images of palm trees rustling in the trade winds and surfers in the water, is a gorgeous way to start a season with the select field guaranteed a no-cut paycheck.

Still, the recuperating Tiger Woods isn't there. Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington chose not to play. And the reliable Jim Furyk, who has a home at Kapalua, didn't qualify.

If it's not a roaring start to the season, it is the beginning of a year filled with interesting story lines, such as:

When will we see Tiger?

No one's exactly sure, but there's a growing notion that he'll make his 2009 debut somewhere in Florida in March, either the World Golf Championship event at Doral or Arnold Palmer's event at Bay Hill.

He's not playing in January, and February seems questionable because he's just now back to hitting full shots and his wife is expected to give birth to their second child around that time.

Unless there are unforeseen setbacks related to his knee surgery, Tiger will play before heading to Augusta in April.

Is this the year Garcia wins a major?

Yes.

Sergio Garcia has elevated his game over the past two years and his work with putting guru Stan Utley has helped strengthen an obvious weakness.

He loves the big moment and has gotten more comfortable with it. At some point, Sergio will win a major and probably more than one. This will be the year.

What's the major championship story?

It will be interesting to see if Masters officials slightly soften the setup at Augusta National in response to complaints the course has been too difficult to create the familiar drama.

The U.S . Open goes back to Bethpage, where Tiger and Phil Mickelson dueled; the British Open will be played at spectacular Turnberry; and the PGA Championship returns to Hazeltine, where Rich Beem took down Tiger in 2002.

Can Norman finally win the Masters?

That's a reach, but having the Shark back at Augusta will make for captivating theater.

Greg Norman's run at the British Open last summer was among the year's best stories and reminded the golf world of how much he meant to the game. He'll be ready when he gets to Augusta, and imagine the charge if he were on the leader board when the weekend rolls around.

Five players with something to prove?

Lucas Glover: The former Clemson player went flat last year and lost his mojo.

Oliver Wilson: The European Ryder Cupper is ranked among the top 40 in the world but hasn't won on the European or PGA Tours.

Davis Love III: He wants to play his way back into the Masters and onto the Presidents Cup team at age 44.

Ian Poulter: He was a huge factor in the Ryder Cup and threatened in the British Open. Can he build on those?

Chris DiMarco: An injury in early 2007 has turned his career the wrong way, raising questions about whether he can come back.

Is the Wachovia Championship secure?

It's in good shape and when it returns to Quail Hollow in May, it will likely seem like nothing has changed.

There's still a question as to whether Wells Fargo will take on the title sponsorship in the future (if not, tournament officials are optimistic they'll find a suitable replacement) but, otherwise, the event remains strong.

Corporate hospitality is locked in, the date remains ideal and it will likely be a sellout again (despite slower ticket sales than at this time last year).

How is the economic climate affecting the PGA Tour?

Late last year, Commissioner Tim Finchem sent players a video asking them to spend more time with sponsors, play more events and be more proactive in a difficult time. That was a hint that even the tour isn't immune to the downturn.

Title sponsors are set for this year, but secondary sponsors are a concern. There's also talk about possibly keeping tournament purses flat to help deal with the current situation.

The television contract runs through 2012, but the falloff after Tiger left the scene last year wasn't what the tour needed.

Who are five newcomers to watch?

Webb Simpson: The Raleigh resident and former Wake Forest All-American has the look and pedigree of a future star.

Rory McIlroy: He was a teenaged sensation as an amateur at the 2007 British Open. Now a pro, he could win it.

Colt Knost: The former U.S. Amateur champion proved on the Nationwide Tour last year that he can play.

Danny Lee: The reigning U.S. Amateur champion is still an amateur, but there are rumors he might turn pro after the Masters.

Derek Fathauer: Made the cut in the U.S . Open as an amateur and finished third at qualifying school.

Are Kim and Villegas really that good?

It looks that way.

Just when the tour needed a jolt of youthful energy, Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas provided it in 2008. There's no reason to think they'll fade this year.

What about John Daly?

He's suspended from the PGA Tour for six months for a variety of mistakes and poor decisions. He'll play in Europe when he can and hopes he'll be back on tour later this year.

It will be up to tournament directors to give him exemptions, and he's not nearly as attractive as he used to be. But, given his history, Long John will resurface again.

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