The Tiger who came to tee - how to react?

The Masters have begun at Augusta National, a course with greens so lush that it actually makes HD television worthwhile for four days a year. This signals the start of Tigerwatch, a show that BBC 2 should get commissioned, if only to see a rampaging Bengal ripping the face off Bill Oddie. Yes folks, you read it here after wading through a plethora of media opinion on the subject beforehand, Tiger Woods is back!

Now, I'm not an evergreen golf fan, I only ever tune in for the majors and the Ryder Cup but I know enough about the game and this saga has gone beyond the sporting world. Many people are unsure of how to greet Tiger when he walks out to the 1st tee at half 6 this evening. If he is met with huge cheers, does this fuel the Woods ego, justifying what he has done or at least making his behaviour seem acceptable to those who once adored him? If those who do disapprove voice their opinion (such as the chairman of Augusta National), does this spur Woods on to win the Masters, thus showing himself to be above such criticism? Either way he is in a bit of a tough place right now and there will always be those who will take issue with whatever he does this weekend.

I can see only one solution - absolute silence around Tiger at all times, which is probably something the officials at Augusta would like introduced on a wide scale, such is its austerity. In this situation, it is up to Woods, his mental fortitude and his unnatural golfing ability alone to prove the doubters wrong about his character and his ability to perform after months in sexual rehabilitation. To my mind, an American will win this championship - but it will be an American who has been faithful to his family. Martin Kaymer will lead the European charge. But this Masters matters for one reason only - it will be interesting to see if Woods is re-embraced by the golfing world

RM

PS I hope the title of this thread brings back happy childhood memories, in spite of the awful pun. For those of you who don't get it, you have had a unfulfilled childhood and should bring up this issue with your parents. R