Rods missing 1 eye... Big deal?

I have a rod I wanted to try out. Does it matter that it is missing an eye?. It's the forth from the top on a 6'6 rod.

Coming from a rod builder's perspective... if you are casting with the rod, you will probably be losing a little distance because the line will likely flow less smoothly through the guides, and you may be getting some additional line slap on the blank. 

If this is a spinning rod, the 4th guide from the top could easily be the "choker" guide which is the 1st guide the line passes through, headed towards the tip top, of the smallest diameter size used on the rod.  On a well designed spinning rod, the choker guide will line up closely with the centerline/rotational axis of the reel spool. This would change the angle of the line traveling from the reel towards the tip and impact casting distance as well.

When fighting a fish, the rod also will not flex/bend quite the same with that guide missing.  How about getting the guide repaired, or fixing it yourself before you try it out?  As an alternative, taping the correct size guide onto the blank at the proper location with masking tape will at least allow you to give it's performance and honest assessment.