CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Quail Hollow Club members showed off their swings on the first tee Wednesday. In just two weeks, some of golf's greatest players will do the same.

So as workers hustle to get tents set up and the course ready, fans of the Wachovia Championship say they're counting the days.

“I am so excited I can hardly wait! I've gone every year and I'm really looking forward to it,” said golf fan Jane Erwin.

But fans won't see defending champion Tiger Woods this year. According to his Web site, he underwent successful knee surgery and won't be back in the swing of things for four to six weeks.

Last year, massive crowds followed Woods as he played with basketball star Michael Jordan during the Pro-Am and as he went on to win.

Erwin said he'll be missed.

“We're going to be disappointed not to have Tiger here this year, but we have to pray for him to heal and be back here next year,” she said.

Tournament Director Kim Hougham said his absence will have little impact on the event.

“It really doesn't affect us in sales because we've been sold out for two months. It's disappointing, but we can't control it,” he said.

He said even without Tiger, the Wachovia Championship will be an all-star tournament, with 10 of the world’s top players in the tournament.

“We'd love to have him here, but I think people who are coming to see Tiger won't be disappointed because there are still going to be some of the best players in the world here,” he said.

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