AUGUSTA, GA. — Two longtime rivals swatted ceremonial tee shots Thursday to begin the Masters, where all the focus was on a four-time winner trying to rebuild his life.
Tiger Woods was playing for the first time since a Thanksgiving night car wreck led to revelations of numerous extramarital affairs.
A thunderstorm could get in the way when he tees off in the next-to-last group. The forecast called for afternoon rain and wind to sweep over Augusta.
Officials at Augusta National insisted that no one player — not even when it’s the world’s best embroiled in a scandal — would overshadow their tournament. And for a few moments, at least, that was the case as Jack Nicklaus joined Arnold Palmer at the first tee.
“He dominated the Masters like no one before or since,” club chairman Billy Payne said.
“Please join me in welcoming back, Mr.Jack Nicklaus.” “Keep your eye on the ball,” Palmer cracked as the Golden Bear went through a couple of practice swings.
Sentimentality aside, most patrons were eager to get a look at Woods in comeback mode.
Bill Campbell set up his chair along the second fairway, hoping to catch one of the golfer’s early shots.
“I’m expecting him to be wild off the tee,” Campbell said, “but I won’t be surprised if he pulls off a great round.”
Mark Felt stationed himself along the third tee, which also afforded a view of the seventh green.
“He’s going to come back sometime,” Felt said. “Might as well be here.”
The 70-year-old Nicklaus, a record six-time champion who last played at the Masters in 2005, agreed to return this year to hit the opening shots with Palmer. They both knocked it down the right side, just off the fairway. Two security guards hustled out to pick up the balls.
“I hit a rookie tee shot,” Nicklaus said with a smile. “I didn’t put my contacts in, so I had no idea where it went. As long as I didn’t hear it land, it’s OK.”
Tom Watson, who nearly became the oldest major champion at last year’s British Open, got off to a strong start on a course where he hasn’t made the cut since 2002. The 60-year-old birdied two of the first three holes, shot 34 on the front side and trailed only early leader Steve Marino, who made the turn with a 3-under 33.
Woods was scheduled to tee off with K.J. Choi and Matt Kuchar at 11:42 p.m. MDT in what figures to be one of the most scrutinized opening rounds in golf history — not a day for winning the tournament, but surely a chance for Woods to show he’s still an intimidating presence on the course, if not the same man off it.
“The fact that I haven’t really played at all, that’s a little bit concerning,” Woods said early in the week. “I’m hoping I get my feel back quickly, my feel for the game, my feel for shots, feel more how my body is reacting and what my distances are going to be. I hope I get that back, you know, relatively quickly. Maybe, hopefully, the first hole. But if not, please hope it’s the second hole.”
Before he went out, Woods had to endure another critical assessment of his double life from the head of Augusta National.
“He disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children,” Payne said Wednesday in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Woods at the annual state of the Masters news conference.
“Is there a way forward? I hope yes. I think yes,” Payne said. “But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change.”
A few hours after Payne spoke, Nike released a stark, black-and-white TV ad that showed a solemn Woods, looking directly into the camera while the voice of his father is heard, speaking about taking responsibility.
“Did you learn anything?” says Earl Woods, who died in 2006.
Woods made an effort to interact more with the crowd during practice rounds. He smiled more, made eye contact, even signed autographs — something he rarely did in the past.
Others players, meantime, haven’t attracted nearly the same attention.
Ernie Els, the only player with multiple PGA Tour victories this year, was not invited to the media center for a pre-tournament interview.
Steve Stricker is No. 2 in the world, with four victories over the last year putting him among the best players who have never won a major. He was introduced at a news conference Tuesday as an eight-time PGA Tour winner who has played on three Presidents Cup and one Ryder Cup team and is making his 10th appearance in the Masters.
Anything missing?
“A major,” he said. “Is that the way I’m supposed to answer that?”
There are four teenagers in the field, and three Italians.
Raymond Floyd headed to the sideline two days before the tournament started. The 67-year-old didn’t even bother with a couple of farewell rounds.
Not that anyone really noticed. This tournament is all about Woods, and the chance to start anew.
“We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner, but this time, with a significant difference from the past,” Payne said. “This year, it will not be just for him, but for all of us who believe in second chances.”
