How will golf be affected by Tiger Woods's absence?

Tiger Woods has announced he will be taking an indefinite break from golf after admitting to infidelity.

"I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done but I want to do my best to try," he said in a statement on his website.

But what will it mean for golf? Tiger Woods has long been the sport's biggest name and his mere presence alone has ensured that even his practice rounds are followed by rabid crowds.

His fellow pros, too, believe he is essential, if only to keep money rolling in to the game. Here's what John Daly had to say on the matter a few days ago: "We need him, probably more than anybody on the tour, to keep things going, the way the economy is." Meanwhile Geoff Ogilvy says: "If Tiger Woods indefinitely doesn't play golf that's not good for us."

The hiatus also leaves open questions as to whether his sponsors, from whom he earns a reported $100m a year, will stick by him. Nike says they will ("He and his family have Nike's full support," said a spokesman) while his agent Mark Steinberg says he will speak to the golfer's other sponsors, claiming they are open to a "solution-oriented dialogue". Whatever that means.

So, how will golf change without its talismanic No1?