Tiger Woods makes his way through members of the media to sign a We Salute Our Heroes tribute wall at the AT&T National golf tournament at the Aronimink Golf Club Tuesday in Newtown Square. AP Photo

Tigers Woods is in Delaware County this week, but just how many people will follow one of golf’s all-time greats remains to be seen.

Woods won’t be playing at the AT&T National PGA event this week at Aronimink Golf Club due to leg injuries. But he will be at the tournament as some of the proceeds benefit his foundation.

Area businesses are hoping the tournament will benefit them at least close to what it did last year when Woods participated. He has not played in a tournament since mid-May when he withdrew from the Players Championship with a strained medial collateral ligament and a strained Achillies’ tendon.

That leaves business owners and managers wondering if Woods’ absence in the field will lead to more absences in their restaurants and hotels this week.

Tournament play begins Thursday and ends with the final round Sunday. It’s also the final year Aronimink will host the AT&T National, as it will return to Congressional in the Washington, D.C., area next year after a two-year hiatus.

“Last year in the five-county region, there was a $25 million economic impact,” said Tore Fiore, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Even though he’s here, it’s safe to say the numbers of the attendees will probably be down a little. Some come out just to watch Tiger.

“But based on the track record of when he doesn’t play, we’re still looking at about a $19 to $20 million impact. That’s nothing to sneeze at.”

One business that apparently did a little better for this year’s tournament is the Radnor Hotel.

“With the arrangements made from the prior year, this year there is better coordination, and my understanding is that they are sold out for the whole week,” Fiore said.

The hotel confirmed that it sold out Tuesday night and for tonight, but didn’t comment on the rest of the week.

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