Tiger Woods isn't playing in this week's British Open. So why watch it? Umm … well, good question actually. You've kind of got me there.

But being a good sports fans requires that sometimes you spend an entire weekend on the couch, even if you think there might be reason to shut off the TV, go outdoors and enjoy the warm, summer air.

So in that spirit, here are 10 reasons to watch the Tiger-less British Open.

1. Jean Van De Velde
The Frenchman was able to qualify for this year's Open again, nine years after sinking a clutch six-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie to force a playoff. (By the way, if you'll recall, Van De Velde had set up the dramatic moment by taking six VERY dramatic shots to get within six feet.)

2. Good fashion tips
They say Europe always gets the new styles before we do in the States. And it's true. Want to know what will be in this fall on our shores? Then tune in to watch these players play golf in mid-July while wearing sweaters, coats and wool caps.

3. Cautionary fashion tips
Swedes! Swedes! Swedes! Swedes! (Whoops. He's not Swedish. But he is cautionary.)

4. John Daly
He comes to Royal Birkdale angry. Four months ago Daly had a falling out with his coach, Butch Harmon, when Harmon claimed the most important thing in Daly's life is "getting drunk." So Wednesday, Daly fired back at Harmon. "I think most of that stuff started with Butch Harmon," he said, referring to his sponsors drying (sobering?) up. "I think his lies kind of destroyed my life for a little bit." Good point, John Daly. It is Harmon's fault. For where else would sponsors get the idea that you like to drink beer, what with your beer-drenched commercials being banned from the air.

5. Colin Montgomerie
Call me crazy, but I feel Colin Montgomerie is a decent bet to be in contention for a British Open within the next five years. Granted, he will be eligible for the Senior British Open within the next five years. And when you do get a bit older, Mr. Montgomerie, please, please, please wear one of those MedicAlert bracelets. It will allow you to call for help when you are choking or falling off the leaderboard.

6. Pot bunkers
It isn't a British Open championship without pot bunkers. And Royal Birkdale has lots of them. Seven ring the Par-5 fifth hole alone. Some are deep. Some are shallow. Some have grass. Some have sand. Some might even contain a curious, unemployed NFL running back named Travis Henry.

7. No Brett Favre
I think we all have had heard enough about Brett Favre, don't you think? And that came about 11 years ago. Now it's just getting ridiculous. So enjoy this opportunity to watch some sports without the threat of hearing about or seeing Mr. Brett Fav … ah, crap. He's going to show up, isn't he?

8. Phil Mickelson
I have been banned from mentioning anything about … how to say this? … Mr. Mickelson's generous deposits of upper body subcutaneous fat. And I understand. There are certain standards to maintain. However, with women's Olympic beach volleyball still a month away and NBA cheerleading squads a month into their offseason, we have to take any kind of skin we can get on our televised sports. But again, this is a tricky area for me. I mean, it's Phil Mickelson I'm talking about! Yet I can't mention jugs at all. Not even this one.

9. Pomposity
I love golf. But let's admit: The sport can be a bit stuffy. Now take a major tournament and throw in a heaping dose of British history and self-importance and, well … what you think sounds like whispering is actually the muffled voices of people with their heads buried in their behinds, examining the beauty.

10. Hope
With Tiger Woods not in the field, many more players will tee-off today thinking they have a legitimate shot at winning. That's good for competition. Still, though, if I'm giving the choice of betting for Tiger Woods or the field this week, I'm probably still going to go with Woods. Have you ever watched the field play? They're not too good. Many of them usually fail to even make the cut.

DJ Gallo is the founder and sole writer of the sports satire site SportsPickle.com. He also is a regular contributor to ESPN The Magazine and has written for The Onion and Cracked. His first book, "SportsPickle Presents: The View from the Upper Deck," is on sale now.