Though he’s no longer thought to be an automatic favorite to contend, Tiger Woods still drew the biggest gallery on Monday.
He started hitting practice balls around 3:30 p.m. and the people began to gather, scrutinizing every chip and drive.
Those two facets of his game have been the most inconsistent in recent years as Woods tries to win his 15th major, and first since 2008, in his goal of passing Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors.
After moving from the practice area to the course, Woods hooked his first drive off the first tee during Monday’s practice round. Walking up the fairway with longtime friend Mark O’Meara, the gallery offered Woods encouragement that he didn’t reciprocate.
Woods recovered by hitting his second shot to within 15 feet to make the birdie. He then began practicing different types of chips from various spots around the green, seemingly hitting every one satisfactorily.
The swelling gallery watched Woods’ chips with keen interest, offering more encouragement that Woods didn’t acknowledge.
Once thought to have the best short game in the sport’s history, Woods began uncharacteristically badly mishitting numerous short shots earlier this year.
A back injury caused him to withdraw after 11 holes at Torrey Pines in which he was 2 over. He declared that he wouldn’t play in another tournament until he could truly compete. It was his third withdrawal in eight starts.
The Masters, which he has won four times but not since 2005, will be his return to competitive golf for the first time since Feb. 5.
Jackets in the field: Former Georgia Tech standout Cameron Tringale is ready for the challenge that is the Masters and Augusta National.
Though Tringale has played the course several times, including at least once each year during an All-American career at Tech, this will be his first appearance in the Masters. He came for practice two weeks ago with his caddie and also solicited advice from one of the caddies who work the course.
“When I played before it was for fun,” he said. “This time there was a purpose, figuring out the course and some strategy.”
Tringale has won more than $6.5 million since turning pro for the 2010 season. He qualified for the Masters by reaching the season-ending Tour Championship last year.
Tringale is one of three former Jackets in the field, along with Matt Kuchar and Larry Mize.
Though Tringale said he would listen if offered advice from his fellow alums, he hasn’t waited to learn the course. He arrived in Augusta on Sunday night after finishing tied for fifth at the Shell Houston Open and was on the course Monday morning, trying to confirm some of the things he learned about the greens during his previous visit.
“It’s kind of fun to try to figure it out by yourself,” he said. “I love the help, but at the end of the day you are the one who is out there and you’ve got to know it.”
Weather: There is a 50 percent chance of rain for Tuesday's practice round, as well as the scheduled second and third rounds of the Masters on Friday and Saturday.
Here is the forecast, although it has changed drastically each day since Sunday:
Tuesday — Mostly cloudy, 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Low of 62 degrees and a high of 81.
Wednesday — Partly cloudy, 30 percent chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Low of 65 degrees and a high of 87.
Thursday — Partly cloudy, hot and humid, 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in afternoon. Low of 67 degrees and high of 88.
Friday — Mostly cloudy, 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Low of 68 degrees and high of 88.
Saturday — Mostly cloudy, 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Low of 66 degrees and high of 83.
Sunday — Mostly sunny. Low of 59 degrees and high of 80.
Etc.: Your only chance to see Arnold Palmer with a club in his hand this week will be for Thursday's honorary starter role, the opening tee shots of the tournament. Palmer, who has recovered from a dislocated shoulder enough to hit that one shot, will not participate in Wednesday's Par 3 Contest. Augusta National Golf Club and Masters chairman Billy Payne confirmed that Ben Crenshaw, playing his 44th and final Masters will sub for Palmer. "We were sad to learn that Arnold will not participate in this year's Par 3 Contest, but his health is most important. We are pleased to announce that Ben Crenshaw has accepted our invitation to join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for this year, which we felt was a fitting way to acknowledge the end of Ben's illustrious 44 years of competition at the Masters." … Crenshaw's longtime Masters caddie Carl Jackson, who has been on the bag for him 39 times, including this year, was to be honored Monday night at the Mayors' Masters Reception. Crenshaw was set to attend and it's the first time anyone other than a Masters champion has been honored. Jackson, 67, was to receive a crystal key to the city and a proclamation for Carl Jackson Day in Augusta.
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