TEEING OFF

Five things to look for on the professional golf scene:

1. We’ve seen the last of Tiger Woods for a while, but he probably hasn’t seen the last of arthroscopic knee surgery.

“This is something that’s a chronic issue for him,� said Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic surgeon at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. “I don’t know if you’ve seen the last of surgical issues with Tiger’s knee.�

ElAttrache, who is the orthopedic surgeon for the Dodgers, said the cartilage problem in Woods’ knee is classically called “jumper’s knee� and a common ailment for NBA players such as Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Vince Carter. It’s found in “jumping� sports and those involving torque and rotation.

Amateur golfers cannot equal the violent swing and torque of Woods and don’t face the same issues, but they may overlook one other factor.

“It’s fairly common that most people forget that they must walk approximately four miles per round . . . all on uneven terrain,� said Johnny Benjamin, chief of orthopedic surgery at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fla.

The extent of the surgery Woods had has not been made public except for the fact that it was to correct cartilage damage. ElAttrache, who knows Woods’ surgeon Thomas Rosenberg, said it probably involved joint surface cartilage under the kneecap and additional surgery may be needed.

Because Woods is in such peak physical shape, his absence shouldn’t be prolonged, ElAttrache said.

“He’s in world-class athletic shape,� he said. “He’s got everything going for him.�

Another expert agrees.

“Considering how well he was doing before the procedure, there’s no reason to think there will be any lingering aftereffects,� said Ronald Grelsamer, a knee specialist in the Department of Orthopedics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

2. Woods has been down this surgical road twice before on his left knee.

“It’s a little unusual to have to go back three times,� Grelsamer said. “You know, we all have our Achilles’ [heel]. This may be his. It’s good to know he’s human.�

3. The U.S. Open at Torrey Pines begins June 12, which means Woods has almost two months to get ready.

The rehabilitation time mentioned by Rosenberg, who performed the surgery in Park City, Utah, is from four to six weeks, and Woods is known as a quick healer.

Even so, he might play only one tournament, the Memorial, before the Open.

4. Think about this: It was totally up to Woods to schedule the surgery after the Masters. His agent said Woods has been having pain in his knee since the middle of last year -- so that’s long before Woods said it was “entirely within reason� to win all four majors this year. That must mean there’s no way he was ever going to miss the U.S. Open.

5. Once again, we’re reminded how fragile the PGA Tour may be -- only a knee surgery away from slipping back into fringe-sport status.

That’s something of an overstatement, but no one can argue that it has been the presence of Woods on tour since late 1996 that has driven the dollars upward -- through increased purses, higher television rights fees, increased visibility and public awareness of men’s pro golf, added money for charity, more sponsors willing to shell out millions to back tournaments -- and raised the bar for endorsement opportunities for every player.

Woods had a telling comment when it was suggested to him before the tour’s previous TV deal that he deserved a cut.

“You think?� Woods said in smiling agreement.

The PGA Tour should send a jet to Woods’ home in Florida to make sure he shows up at tournaments. Oh, that’s right, Woods has his own jet.

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A SLICE OF LIFE

Mike Davis, the USGA’s senior director of rules and competitions, who is responsible for the setup of Torrey Pines for the U.S. Open, on whether Woods will have an advantage because he has won six tournaments there:

‘My sense is he just likes the way that course looks. Whether it’s the Buick Open or the U.S. Open, that aspect is not going to change.’

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THE TOURNAMENTS

PGA TOUR

Verizon Heritage

When: Today-Sunday.

Where: Hilton Head Island, S.C.

TV: Golf Channel (Today-Friday, noon-3 p.m.); Ch. 2 (Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m.).

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LPGA TOUR

Ginn Open

When: Today-Sunday.

Where: Reunion, Fla.

TV: Golf Channel (Today-Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.); Ch. 2, (Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon).

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CHAMPIONS TOUR

Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am

When: Friday-Sunday.

Where: Lutz, Fla.

TV: Golf Channel (Friday, 10 a.m .-noon) and NBC (Saturday, 1-3 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon).

All times Pacific

Associated Press

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STAT OF THE WEEK

Trevor Immelman, above, won the Masters, closing with a three-over-par 75 -- matching the highest final round by a champion -- for a three-stroke victory over Tiger Woods. The first South African winner since Gary Player in 1978, Immelman finished at eight under.