The second annual AT&T National tees off at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., just outside Washington, DC, this weekend. But this year, the tournament’s host, Tiger Woods, must watch from his Orlando, Fla., area home as he recovers from knee surgery following an amazing 91-hole victory in the 108th U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

“I would love to be there. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can make it,” said Woods, on his official website. “Flying swells up my leg pretty good. When I flew home from the procedure, it ballooned up a little bit. So my doctors advised me to lay low and stay away from planes. But who knows? I don’t really listen to doctors all that well anyway.

“As far as the procedure, it was an ACL reconstruction of my left knee. They did take a graft, basically a tendon out of my right hamstring, and implemented it into my left knee and made it to my new ACL and they fixed a little bit of cartilage damage I had in there. And that was about it.”

Although the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer will not be in attendance, a $6 million total purse and $1.08 million winner’s share has attracted a field worthy of fireworks on this Fourth of July weekend. Congressional CC is a 7,255-yard, Par-70 course that played as the PGA Tour’s ninth most difficult course in 2007, with a 71.543 scoring average.

In order to earn the AT&T National trophy — a silver replica of the Capitol — players will have to endure the difficult golf course as well as the midsummer heat. Last year, temperatures in the high-90s caused dozens of fans to be treated for dehydration and contributed to two nonfatal heart attacks.

The inaugural AT&T National champion was South Korea’s own “Tank” K.J. Choi, who shot a final-round 68, posting a 9-under 271 for a three-shot win over Steve Stricker. With more than 37,000 on-hand to witness his victory, Choi — who also won Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament earlier in 2007 — rose to the occasion with a dramatic 30-foot hole-out from the greenside bunker on the 17th hole to essentially seal the win.

“This tournament is just too big for me to really absorb right now,” said Choi, after receiving the trophy from Tiger. “It’s a very big win for me, and definitely the biggest win of my career.”

This year’s festivities started on Wednesday with the 101st Airborne Parachute Demonstration Team delivering ceremonial golf balls – hit by soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Japan, the U.K. and aboard the USS Lincoln – to the first tee, where they were met by Fred Couples and 25 children whose parents are actively serving in the military.

The 25 children were invited through a partnership with America Supports You and Our Military Kids. The ceremony also included performances by the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet, the Joint Honor Guard representing the five branches of the U.S. military and an a cappella rendition of the National Anthem sung by 14-year-old DC-area native Anna Nicholson.

“I wanted this year’s ceremony to honor the men and women who serve in our military and their families,” said Woods, whose father, Earl, served in the Vietnam War as a member of the Green Berets.

“I grew up in a military household, which gave me an understanding of the sacrifices these soldiers and their families make for all of us.

“It’s our way of saying thanks to them.”

Without Woods in the field, defending champion Choi is the man to beat. But keep an eye on Jim Furyk. The 2003 U.S. Open winner finished tied for third at the AT&T National last year and tied for fifth at the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional. Plus, Furyk’s caddie, Mike “Fluff” Cowan — who also carried the bag for Tiger from 1996-99 — is a member at Congressional, giving Furyk a little insider expertise.

The AT&T National will be televised on GOLF Channel (3:00-6:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday and Friday before CBS (3:00-6:00 p.m. ET) takes over the weekend coverage. And everyone, including the top player on the planet, will be watching.

“I’d love to be there,” said Woods.

“It should be a great week and I’ll be watching on television.”