The PGA Tour kicks off its season today with the Mercedes-Benz Championship at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. The opening ceremony will be emceed by Golf Channel announcer Mark Rolfing and feature the national anthem performed by Josh Kelley, a flyover by three Blackhawk helicopters and a ceremonial tee shot from Pro Football HOFer John Elway. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and Mercedes-Benz CMO Steve Cannon are scheduled to attend. The ceremony will be televised live on Golf Channel at 3:30pm ET. The 33-person field for the 2008-winners-only event is missing the top four-ranked players in the world, including Tiger Woods.

Golf Channel will air HD coverage of all four rounds for the opening three events for the first time this year. Sprint is not returning as title sponsor of the net’s 30-minute pre- and postgame shows. The pregame show is now called “Golf Central Pregame,” with “Golf Central” in the postgame slot.