US MASTERS: The dust has started to settle, it would seem, for Mr Woods.
Sure, in a literal sense, the residue of the pollen particles is so plentiful that golfers have been brushing it off their shoes these past few days.
But for a major which has had the world number one’s off-course shenanigans featuring as a large part of the plot in the run-up to this 74th edition of the US Masters, there is a palpable sense of relief that, finally, golf can again be the main focus.
In this event, more than any other, that’s how it should be.
And, yet, it is a testament to Tiger Woods’s golf game that he can arrive here installed as the favourite after five months away from tournament play and with all of the personal baggage associated with his infidelities.
Can Woods win?
Of course he can.
As Phil Mickelson put it: “He showed that he can win in much worse condition in the 2008 US Open,” a reference to the victory at Torrey Pines when Woods won in spite of playing with a damaged knee which later required surgery.
Steve Stricker, too, didn’t rule out a triumphant return.
“Looking back, you wonder how he competed at such a high level with all of this stuff going on. It’s actually scary to think if he gets his mind a little bit freer and uncluttered, that it could be better,” he said.
While Geoff Ogilvy commented: “We’ve spent 15 years underestimating what he can do. I have 100 per cent confidence in his ability to win the tournament.”
Will Woods win?
Ah, the six million dollar question.
In his time away, there have been timely returns to form by a number of players – Ernie Els, with back-to-back tournament wins inside the past month; Jim Furyk, who again savoured that winning taste after a two-year winless drought, and – more recently – evidence from Anthony Kim that he has rediscovered his focus and desire.
Count in Ian Poulter’s continued rise, Lee Westwood’s consistency . . . the list of potential winners is, indeed, long.
And, in a way, it would reflect poorly on the field if one of them didn’t find a way to outgun Woods. No matter how intensive the practice regime, or that he has won four Masters titles and knows the place like the back of his hand, or that he is indeed a special talent, it couldn’t possibly sit well with every other player in the field if he were to re-emerge from the wilderness and win.
“A lot of people are trying to make out that players won’t put him up on a pedestal, but I actually think if he comes back playing well players will think, ‘yes, he is invincible’,” said Pádraig Harrington, who made the point that now, more than any other, is the time when players must focus entirely on their own game and not worry about what Woods is doing on the course.
Harrington, of course, is a strong contender.
It was here, back in 2007 after a tied-seventh place finish behind Zach Johnson, that Harrington left believing his game was sufficiently good to win a major.
Three months later, at Carnoustie, he won the first of his British Opens.
Nowadays, the Dubliner’s seasons are planned around the majors and his build-up to this one has seen him return to form – two top-10 finishes in his last three tournaments – and a confident swagger that should produce a challenge for the green jacket.
“The great thing for me is I ain’t playing for second place – not that I couldn’t care, but if I have got a chance of winning, I am going to go for first place rather than hang back and be happy and finish fifth or whatever,” said Harrington.
He sees the perfect game-plan as hanging around in contention until the back nine on Sunday when a player can become more aggressive.
“If you’re going to win this tournament, at times you’re going to have to take shots on.”
And the examination is one that Harrington always looks forward to.
“There is nothing straight-forward, it always keeps you on your toes and I like that about a golf course. I like the fact that right from the very first hole there is no shot out there you can relax on.”
Harrington heads an Irish challenge that also features Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, both of whom have shown an ability to perform here.
On his debut a year ago, McIlroy had a back nine 31 in the final round which has left him relishing this week’s challenge, while McDowell’s improved short game – an element he has again worked on in the build-up – has him in good fettle.
His spirits were lifted too by recording a hole-in-one on the final hole of the Par Three competition last evening.
For sure, there will be added curiosity in how Woods fares. Will the new Woods intimidate as the old one did so often around here?
Once inside the ropes for today’s first round, though, every player will find himself in his own world with just one aim: to get the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible.
That’s golf, and that’s the way it should be.
Today’s First Round
BBC 2 (NI) 9pm–10.30pm
BBC 1 (NI) 10.45pm–12.50am
BBC Red Button 3.45pm–12.50am
Setanta Ireland 10pm–12.30am
Last 10 Winners
2009 Angel Cabrera (Arg) 1st time
2008 Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 1st
2007 Zach Johnson (US) 1st
2006 Phil Mickelson (US) 2nd
2005 Tiger Woods (US) 4th
2004 Phil Mickelson (US) 1st
2003 Mike Weir (Can) 1st
2002 Tiger Woods (US) 3rd
2001 Tiger Woods (US) 2nd
2000 Vijay Singh (Fij) 1st