It is a fact that when Tiger Woods is out of contention on the final day of a tournament, television ratings in the United States plummet. It is also the case that when the world No1 chooses not to play an event on the PGA Tour in the US, sponsors have been known to squeal. It did not go down well, for instance, when Woods skipped the Barclays Classic last year - the first of four end-of-season tournaments for the inaugural and much-vaunted FedEx Cup series. For the record, he won the series anyway, at a canter.

And there was talk last week that the season in the US only really got under way once Woods had turned up to play. Coming out of his winter hibernation, he waltzed to victory in the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, San Diego by eight strokes and at times played spectacular golf.

It was his fourth win on the trot (his previous two were by margins of eight and seven strokes) and his 62nd on the PGA Tour. Since the start of 2006 he has won one in every two events he has entered and is quoted at meagre odds of 16-1 to secure the grand slam of four professional major championships this year - a feat never previously achieved.

So here is a question: is such dominance a good or a bad thing for the game and who will fill the void when he has left the stage?

Woods is in the Middle East for the Dubai Desert Classic that gets under way today and to judge from the response of those around him - players, managers, mind coaches - he has had nothing but a positive influence on the game. The consensus is that when he stops playing, he will leave the game in a much stronger position than he found it when turning professional in 1996. Here is what those in the know think:

David Howell

Held off Woods to win HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai in 2005

“Tiger has been fantastic for the game. It's great watching somebody changing history. From a player's point of view we're lucky to have the chance to beat him and when you do it means that much more.

“If he left the game now it would leave a vacuum because he's so dominant. If he leaves the stage when he's slightly past his peak, it might not feel that way. In America, I'm sure there will be a drop in interest for a while, but then a new star will come along and will be the one they're all trying to beat. And if he's less dominant than Tiger, the competition will be a little closer, which in turn will keep the interest up. He's not going to be as dominant as he is now for ever.”

Thomas Björn

Kept Woods at bay for four rounds to win the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic

“Golf hasn't had the global iconic sportsman before. We're not dealing with somebody who is just good for his sport, because he's an ambassador for athletes all over the world. We had Pelé, [Muhammad] Ali, Michael Jordan - and now we've got Tiger. These are people who step way beyond the boundaries of their sport.

“People ask why nobody stands up to him. It's because nobody can. One day somebody's going to come along and get close to him, but not in the near future. He has sent a signal to everybody that wants to play the game [professionally] that this is how you do it.”

Pete Cowen

Coach of Henrik Stenson, the world No13

“To see somebody like that in our era is unbelievable. The game is in much better shape thanks to Tiger because he has made these guys push themselves harder. The gap between Tiger and the rest is as wide as it is because he's so good, in my opinion the best there has ever been.

“Will the gap be huge to fill when he has gone? No, because there will be 20 players who will play to their full potential and the competition at the top will be fantastic. If a gap does occur, it is likely that it will be in America. Europe will be well-placed [to take advantage]. Just look at the kids we've got in Europe now: Martin Kaymer, Ollie Fisher, Rory McIlroy. And they are all willing to do what it takes to be as good as they can be.”

Jos Vanstiphout

Mind coach who has worked with Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Thomas Björn

“He's the best thing that could have happened to golf - money-wise, equipment-wise and the way the boys are working so much harder now. Thirty years ago the first division had, say, five players. Now there are at least 20. The quality has gone up and most of it can be put down to Tiger.”

Richard Boxall

Television commentator and former European Tour professional

“He's the reason why there are more millionaires on the European Tour. I don't think golf will suffer when he stops playing because I'm sure he'll still be involved with the game.

“If he comes on the range and hits balls, players will stop and watch. Ben Hogan was the last player that did something like that and it is extraordinary.”

Chubby Chandler

Former European Tour player, now manager of, among others, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy

“He is hugely good for the European game, but maybe not so good in America[]. He adds something to the European Tour when he comes to play.” And when he retires? “Rory McIlroy.”

Guy Kinnings

Director of IMG (which also manages Woods's affairs) and manager of Colin Montgomerie

“Golf is growing unbelievably around the world because of him. People will look back and say, ‘Wow, I played in the Tiger Woods era.' There are enough superstars in golf to keep the sponsors happy. There are very good tournaments that survive without him and he can't play them all.”