Tiger return at Augusta National has Masters buzzing

AUGUSTA, Ga. : The Masters is always something special but add in a Tiger Woods comeback and the end of COVID-19 restrictions and the year's first major is poised to be turned into a golfing celebration.

After COVID limited the number of spectators allowed onto the grounds over the last two years, the galleries are back in full force and so is the unmistakable Augusta National buzz amplified by the presence of Woods on the manicured fairways.

Everyone entering stately Augusta National can sense the difference.

The Azaleas seem to smell a little sweeter, the Pimento cheese sandwiches a little tastier and the traffic a lot busier.

"You can feel it," said Spain's Jon Rahm, the world number two and betting favourite to walk away with the coveted Green Jacket on Sunday. "A lot of it is Tiger.

"I was playing with Tony Finau on the front nine yesterday.

"We were on seven, and they (Woods group) were walking down on two, and I've never seen a mass (of spectators) this big, even on a Sunday in contention, on those two holes.

"There's a lot more electricity in the air in that sense, and you have Tiger being there, yeah. Monday felt like a Saturday in a regular event."

TIGERMANIA RETURNS

The first day of official practice on Monday offered a glimpse of what to expect from the week ahead.

Tigermania is set to return after Woods confirmed on Tuesday he will play the Masters 14 months after a car crash that nearly resulted in doctors amputating his right leg, setting the stage for what could go down as one of sport's greatest comebacks.

"It was unbelievable," said Justin Thomas, who joined Woods on his Monday practice round along with Fred Couples.

"I had a couple of buddies send me some pictures last night, and that's probably more people than