Players accept Woods' apology, fans happily welcome him back

Tiger Woods got just the reaction he hoped for Monday, as the patrons at Augusta National cheered him and offered words of encouragement. His fellow players were just as positive, and Woods said the response he got just 'blew me away.'

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
 
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- When Tiger Woods opened his press conference Monday afternoon at Augusta National, he apologized to his fellow players for the bombardment of questions they have received since Woods’ Nov. 27 car crash.

They wholly accepted, welcoming Woods back to the place where he’s won four times.

In the morning, Fred Couples patted Woods on the back as the two made their way down the 10th fairway for a practice round, sharing the first of what were many smiles along the way.

“It was awesome,” Couples said. “We had a good time. He was excited to be out there. He really was. His face lit up.”

Later, they were joined on the 13th hole by Jim Furyk, who played five holes with Woods and Couples.

Others have had similar reactions in the days and weeks leading up to this one, whether it’s been at Woods’ home course of Isleworth, or on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.

The fans following the Woods-Couples practice round were equally cordial. They politely cheered and offered words of encouragement. Woods responded by acknowledging them.

“I haven't done that in the past few years, and that was wrong of me,” Woods said. “I’m just trying to be more respectful of the game.

“I'm actually going to try and obviously not get as hot when I play. But then again, when I'm not as hot, I'm not going to be as exuberant, either.”

As for Woods’ peers, they’re just happy to see him back. They are also hopeful the endless barrage of Tiger-related questions will come to an end now that Woods is playing again.

“I think we all have to be patient and answer the questions,” Furyk said. “No one really wants to talk about his game, but we have to.”

In fact, that’s what most, including Woods, would like to talk about. Golf questions are one thing. Personal ones are another.

“Once he’s inside the ropes, he’s fine,” said longtime friend Mark O’Meara, who played nine holes with Woods on Sunday. “He just needs to get back into playing mode again. It’s been a long time since he’s competed.”

O’Meara added that Woods was nervous coming into the Masters, and Woods confirmed that Monday, but the reception helped ease things.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Woods said. “The galleries couldn’t be nicer. The encouragement I got -- it blew me away. The people here over the years, I know they are extremely respectful, but today was just something that really touched my heart pretty good.”

As for how Woods looked and felt inside the confines of the ropes, Couples said Woods’ game wasn’t sharp, but that he expects him to be fine come Thursday’s opening round.

O’Meara said, hesitantly, “His swing looked good. It looked like he was chipping it well. If you look at his track record, he’s always come back strong after layoffs. I’d be more surprised if he doesn’t play well.”

In Woods’ press conference, it took 29 minutes to get to a golf question. Asked what his own expectations were for this week, Woods said, “Nothing's changed, going to go out there and try to win this thing.

“I’m looking forward to the first tee and teeing off.”

So are a lot of other people.