NEW YORK: Tiger Woods had a rare taste of failure at the US PGA Championship but the world No 1 helped make the tournament a roaring success and continues to be the lynchpin of golf's drive for the future.

Woods, 33, lost to South Korean Yang Yong-eun in one of his most shocking defeats, yet golf was again the winner, according to PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka.

Steranka said attendance boomed and PGA Championship TV ratings soared compared to last year in large part because of Woods's presence.