so the Tiger has been practising hard.........

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Spinning Tiger gets set with practice at Augusta


By GEORGE WILLIS
Last Updated: 3:09 AM, March 23, 2010
Posted: 2:40 AM, March 23, 2010
Comments: 0
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Tiger Woods began his preparation for the Masters in earnest yesterday by playing a practice round at Augusta National, Golf Channel reported. It's the first time Woods has been spotted on the hallowed grounds since his extramarital affairs became public last November.
Woods announced recently he would make his first appearance of the golf season at this year's Masters, where he has won four green jackets. Woods had been preparing for his return at his home course at Isleworth Golf and Country Club near Orlando, but it was occupied yesterday with the Tavistock Cup, an interclub competition between pros from Isleworth and Lake Nona.
AP
PUMPED UP: Tiger Woods played a practice round at Augusta National yesterday, no doubt hoping to be ready to pump his fist in celebration of donning the green jacket again, like he did (above) after topping Chris DiMarco in a playoff to win the 2005 Masters.




During his interview with Golf Channel on Sunday, Woods said knowing the layout at Augusta National was a key reason for his decision to make his return there.
"I know how to play the golf course and that helps a lot," he said. "I've just got to play it."
Woods played it yesterday and could pay another visit today as the Tavistock enters its second day. Those who have witnessed Woods' practice sessions at Isleworth are impressed. John Cook went so far as telling reporters at the Tavistock Cup that Woods could win the Masters.
"I don't see anyone that hits the ball like he does," said Cook, who played rounds with Woods on Thursday and Friday and hit balls with him on Sunday. "We all know that that's not the whole battle. There are a lot of other issues there for him. But as far as ball-striking goes, if he takes that up there, it's vintage.
"I'd be hard-pressed to see anyone beat him, but it will be his first rounds of golf for five months."
Arjun Atwal played almost every day last week with Woods.
"He's hitting it just fine," Atwal said at Isleworth. "He's hitting it longer than before. There is no doubt."
While Woods was at Augusta National, the rest of the PGA Tour was reacting to the interviews Woods conducted with ESPN and Golf Channel on Sunday.
Among those not totally impressed was Arnold Palmer, who is host to the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week at Bay Hill in Orlando. Palmer paused several moments when asked if Woods' interviews would help repair his image.
"I'm not sure," Palmer said on Golf Channel. "That's up to Tiger. The only way we'll know that is by what happens the next few months."
Woods' interviews were limited to five minutes, which didn't sit well with some players.
"If you're going to answer questions, give people more than five minutes," Steve Flesch told Golf Channel. "I think he's just kind of given snippets here and there about where he is in his life and that he's still making amends for what he did."
Most of the players agreed with Colin Montgomerie's view.
"[Woods needs to] get on with the golf, I suppose," Montgomerie said. "I think we're all in that mindset. We're just delighted that he has made his announcement about when he's going to come back. I'm thrilled about that. I think we all are. I think golf as a sport has missed him."
Former LPGA star Annika Sorenstam called Woods' TV appearances "one of the best PR moves he's done in the last four months."
Jim Furyk, who won the Transitions in Palm Harbor, Fla., on Sunday, said Woods' interviews were a part of his preparation for the Masters.
"You know going face-to-face with the camera and addressing the public, and answering some of the questions, I think was part of that natural progression before he comes back," Furyk said. "I think it's good for him to get his face out there and have people see him. They are going to make judgments, but I think it allows him to kind of move on and get focused for the next thing."
Additional reporting
by Reuters
george.willis@nypost.com



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Mods can we add this to the Tiger back for the masters thread please?