Masters first-timer plays round in Woods' shadow
When reporters came rushing up after Richard Green finished a practice round with Tiger Woods, who blew by the media without stopping, Green knew the questions wouldn't be about the state of his game.
"Yeah, having fun in that," he said with a mixture of bemusement and sarcasm. "But that's all right. He is what he is. ... He's very special."
Having played with Woods on a few occasions, the Australian knows the experience is both special and daunting. No one draws the crowds that Woods attracts, and the constant jostling for position by the gallery to get a better look at the world's No. 1 golfer -- can be a little disconcerting.
"It's difficult when you're not used to it, like I am," Green said. "I'm used to going out there with a few marshals watching. When you get out there with him, it's a little different."
Woods is seeking his fifth green jacket. If he wins, he'll trail only six-time winner Jack Nicklaus in the number of victories at Augusta National.
Green is making his Masters debut. He qualified with his top-four finish at the 2007 British Open. It's something the 37-year-old has dreamed of since he was a youngster.
"My whole career has been based around this tournament, since I was about 6 years old, and (I have) been watching the Masters through the early '80s, and watching Jack Nicklaus win here," Green said. "I wore the videotape out. I watched that many times."
Now he has played his first Masters practice round with the man who seeks to dethrone Nicklaus as history's greatest golfer. He said the main thing he learned from playing with Woods on Monday was not to try to copy him.
"You learn your boundaries when you play with Tiger," Green said. "You know what you're capable of, and you know certainly not to try and play his game."
Reach Mike Wynn at (706) 823-3218 or mike.wynn@augustachronicle.com.
