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The longer Tiger Woods stays away, the more the PGA Tour and its fans will realize golf is healthy without the sport’s top-ranked player.

The lament was that without Woods since his injury and subsequent surgery in June, the circuit has less fan appeal.

Nonsense. If it’s charisma and good golf it’s seeking, say hello to Camilo Villegas.

Three years into a career in which his good looks, swanky clothes and pretty good golf game have put him into a substantial spotlight, his win Sunday will only further catapulted the young Colombian into the sports world spotlight.

Villegas shot a final-round 2 under 68 to complete a wire-to-wire victory at the BMW Championship in St. Louis.

While en route to his first PGA Tour victory, Villegas pulled away from Jim Furyk, held off Anthony Kim and wound up winning by two shots over Dudley Hart, who birdied his final two holes for a 65.

Furyk, Kim and Hart all have great stories to tell about their great journeys on the PGA Tour. And that all up and it’s a compelling piece.

The PGA Tour is as interesting now as it was prior to Woods’ departure from the circuit for the year following his post U.S. Open surgery in June. And it’s about time golf community and outsiders understand the concept.

Vijay Singh

The second straight PGA Tour victory Sunday by Camilo Villegas added another reminder of just how appealing the circuit is without Tiger Woods.

Woods is still the world’s top-ranked player despite his rehabilitating knee injury that will sideline to the 2009 season. But without Woods the PGA Tour is still stocked with appealing players.

With his win, Villegas improved to a career-best No. 7 in the World Golf Rankings. And is there a more dynamic player in the world right now?

Not every player has to wear a red shirt on Sunday or thrust his fist into the air after birdie putts of sweet saves.

Folllowing Woods on the world list is Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Padraig Harringto, Sergio Garcia, Anthony King, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Jim Furyk.

Furyk’s not the most outspoken or charasmatic guy around. But asked him a question and you’ll get an articulate answer.

And that’s the way it is on the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods will likley surpass Jack Nicklaus’s records. But the rest of PGA Tour and its other top players give the sport plenty of interesting stories.