MASTERS DISPATCH: I just saw Tiger Woods make a par!

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The media center at Augusta National is a very short walk from the No. 1 fairway. So I ducked out a few minutes ago to see Tiger Woods. Or more precisely, to see what kind of throng was following Tiger, and what kind of reception he got when they introduced him at the first tee.

He got a bigger ovation than playing partners Robert Allenby or defending U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell. No shock there. But it wasn't an overwhelming ovation, not the kind he gets at U.S. Opens or PGA Championships or Buick Invitationals.

But a throng? Absolutely. People were filing up the first fairway like rivers, if rivers wore golf shirts and golf caps. It made me so glad Woods isn't a playing partner of Zach Johnson's today and tomorrow, since I follow Zach around the course. It's bad enough when Woods is one group behind Johnson. Clautrophobia, man. And the press has no inside-the-ropes privileges here, unlike other tourneys. Which is about the only disadvantage to being the press at this tourney.

Example A: This is the only sporting event I cover in America in which there are beer taps in the media center, Miller Lite, Coors and Stella Artois. I've never seen anyone use them in daylight hours, and don't even know if they're turned on in daylight hours, but I've seen a few thirsty reporters pour draws in the evening after making a deadline.

Example B: The editor of TigerWoods.com was denied a press credential here.

I could give you more, but I can't top those two.

Anyway, Woods went fairway-green-two putt for a par on No. 1, and I let the throng follow him the final 17 holes. I don't come here to watch pars.