The U.S. Open, both men’s and women’s, represent the midpoint of the professional golf season. It’s a nice point to sit back and take a look at what has happened – or not happened -- so far.

From this perspective, it’s been a mixed bag at best. But if I had to choose one theme for 2006 over another, I’d say a lack of star power is holding down interest in the sport, although it’s never too late for a rally.

The key is all about Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam, the two dominant forces in the game. Six months into the season and Tiger has played a mere eight times, while Annika has made just nine starts.

Along the way, the “Big Five’’ has not really been so big, and ho-hum guys like Rod Pampling, Chris Couch, Brett Wetterich, Carl Petterson and Ben Curtis are suddenly appearing in the winner’s circle, and creating a wave of TV apathy. Last week’s never-ending Booz Allen resembled a Nationwide Tour event, and this week’s Buick Championship is even more obscure.

The women’s circuit is suffering from a different type of malady, as foreign players are simply stealing the show. In 15 tournaments, Koreans have won seven times, including the last four in a row, while Americans have just two wins.

OK, so they’re independent contractors, but when the marquee players don’t tee it up, golf has all the pizazz of a split-squad spring training game, or maybe an NFL exhibition without the first-stringers.

This is especially true with Tiger, who drives the TV ratings like no other player in the history of golf. Yeah, he’s won twice, but he’s also missed the cut at the U.S. Open and never really made a run at the Masters, the only tournaments where it seems to count. Apparently his new wife, mansion and luxury liner are priorities. (Wake me up when Woods decides to play again.)

With Tiger missing in action, the leading candidate for PGA Tour player of the year honors probably is Phil Mickelson. Too bad Lefty blew perhaps his best opportunity to lock up his first-ever such award with one bad hole at the U.S. Open. As a result, Australian Geoff Ogilvy is only a win or two away from the unthinkable.

Granted, Tim Finchem is trying to rev up interest in his boys, what with Wednesday’s announcement of the NASCAR-like Fed-Ex Cup. But, hey, what about the rest of the season?

Even Woods admitted, indirectly, that it’s been a little slow on the track lately with this reaction to the megabucks event: “It’s certainly going to be more exciting for everyone, not just us as competitors who will be bucking heads against the best more often, but also for the fans.’’

The women have less pomp and circumstance to rely on, and with Annika reportedly in love again, it could get worse. Last season, Sorenstam prevailed 10 times in 20 tries for an unheard of .500 winning percentage. But the she has scaled back considerably, and a tournament without the Sorenstam is like a margarita without ice.

Enter Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa, who has shed the tag “O-choka’’ with two wins and a whole bunch of top-fives. The real surprise of the LPGA, however, is Australia’s Karrie Webb, who has re-emerged from down under a four-year slump with a pair of Ws.

The “other’’ story that’s hurting the LPGA is the shift in spotlight from its teen queens – Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie and Morgan Pressel – to the continual troubles at headquarters. And, no, things have not improved for its rookie commissioner, Carolyn Bivens.

Two weeks ago, three top LPGA officials quit on the eve of the LPGA Championship, bringing to 13 the number of staffers who have resigned under Bivens’ watch. This time, there was no excuse about “normal turnover,’’ as two of the three – Deb Richard and Liz Ausman -- had been hired earlier by Bivens.

The rumblings among players and fans have been considerable. Sorenstam’s view: “I am quite concerned about some of the decisions and changes I have seen lately. I just wonder where we are headed.’’

That last sentence pretty much sums up 2006, as the mid-summer report card isn’t looking good for either the men’s and women’s tours. Granted, the results aren’t final, but professional golf needs an infusion of excitement at the top in the worst way.