Cristian DiMarco, 5, caddies for his dad, Chris, during Wednesday's par-3 contest.
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A daily look at the happenings surrounding Tiger Woods at Augusta:
It was a typical Woods Wednesday at a major -- and especially The Masters. He played with friend and neighbor Mark O'Meara early in the morning -- in fact, the time he teed off wasn't posted on the board next to the first tee -- and was off the golf course by 10:30 a.m.
He went out to the putting green at noon, flanked by O'Meara and his usual corps of security. After putting for 20 minutes, he left via a human shield of security. O'Meara, who has the same number of Masters titles as Woods -- one -- was left to walk through the gallery with a single Pinkerton guard at his side.
Woods played with O'Meara and Stanford teammate Notah Begay III in the par-3 contest Wednesday afternoon. He said that he'd like to win the event, even though the winner has never gone on to win the tournament.
Woods is staying in a private home in Augusta. He was to receive the Player of the Year award from the Golf Writers Association of America on Wednesday night, then return home to prepare for his 12:57 p.m. tee time on Thursday.
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Tinkering with perfection
Loren Roberts was stunned. Hal Sutton was saddened. Stewart Cink was subdued. Jack Nicklaus was angry. Even the proposed architect, Tom Fazio, was caught off guard.
Masters chairman Hootie Johnson announced that Augusta National is planning to revamp four or five of its par-4s in time for next year's tournament. For a place that changes glacially, it was stunning news.
Nicklaus, who has helped with some of the subtle reshaping of Augusta National, was worked up. He ripped golf ball manufacturers for making balls that travel too far. "It's absurd," he said. "It would be so simple to restrict the flight of the golf ball."
Nicklaus said Augusta National had no choice but to lengthen the course. "Hootie is only reacting to what has to happen," Nicklaus said. "You have to compete with what's going on."
Johnson said the club is happy with its par-3s and content with its par-5s. That leaves several par-4 candidates to consider. Some say the club could lengthen the 405-yard 14th by 40 yards. The third is just 350 yards, but the green won't accept long irons well. The seventh is 365 yards and is a birdie opportunity. The 17th is even considered a breather by those who write The Masters spectators' guide.
Sutton feared records would mean nothing. Roberts simply said: "Wow." Cink was politically correct, saying he'd come back if invited, even if he had to walk a little farther.
Nicklaus couldn't control his frustration. "If they don't (lengthen the course), every hole is a driver and a wedge," Nicklaus said. "Why is that? Because of the golf ball. That's the reason. And it's not right."
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Passing the torch: Wednesday is traditionally a day when some legends pass on some of their local knowledge to the newcomers during practice rounds. This year was no exception. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player joined amateur Mikko Ilonen and Masters rookie Rory Sabbatini for a morning round, while Arnold Palmer teamed with U.S. Amateur champ Jeff Quinney and U.S. Mid-Amateur champ Greg Puga.
Southpaws: For the first time, there are four left-handers in the field -- Phil Mickelson, Mike Weir, Greg Chalmers and Steve Flesch.
Iron Byron: Byron Nelson said this is his final year as an honorary starter. Nelson said he doesn't play enough golf during the year to stand on the first tee in front of a huge crowd and open the event. Sam Snead, however, says he'll continue. Gene Sarazan had been the third man in the honorary group before his death two years ago.
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OVERHEARD
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LOVE
On winning at Augusta: "Sometimes it takes an incredible round, an incredible week. And sometimes, it just takes playing really good." |
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STADLER
On why veterans do well: "We've played this course a zillion times. It's kind of like a home course for many of us, even though we're only here once a year." |
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NICKLAUS
On his contention that the golf ball is traveling too far: "St. Andrews last year was a joke. There wasn't a bunker in play for Tiger. " |
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SUTTON
On whether he likes any course changes: "They're going to do what they're going to do. And they're not going to consult me about it." |
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