Woods redirects all attention
Golfer's coach in spotlight, too
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Herb Dew didn't have to see Tiger Woods to know that the golfing icon had arrived at Augusta National Golf Club on Monday.
The murmuring that began when Woods emerged from the clubhouse, and filtered down to the No. 1 fairway where Dew was standing, told him so.
"Everyone's like, 'Oh, he's here,' " said the University of South Carolina sophomore, who hustled to the putting green to try to catch a glimpse of Woods. "No one had to say his name."
That's the effect Woods has on golf fans and the golf world. When's he's at a tournament, the electricity meter amps up to a higher level.
After briefly stopping to accept congratulations from a security guard on the recent birth of his son, Charlie, Woods walked briskly to the putting green as dozens of patrons trailed along in his wake. The other golfers who were already there immediately became second and third bananas.
Ernie Els, the winner of three majors, was barely noticed. Tom Watson, who has won two Masters Tournaments and six other majors, didn't get any love. Dudley Hart, Briny Baird, Mathew Goggin and Shingo Katayama never stood a chance.
Even defending Masters champion Trevor Immelman drew little attention when he made his way to the putting green about 10 minutes after Woods' arrival.
Only fan favorite Boo Weekley merited any acknowledgment, drawing cascades of "Boos" as he hit the putting green.
Woods hit the main course late Monday but did not stop for interviews after his round.
The aura of Woods has grown to the point where the sighting of those in his inner circle causes pulses to race and hearts to beat faster.
"You got his picture?" asked a woman excitedly to a friend who was trying to shoot a photo of Woods by extending her arm over the now-six-deep crowd around the putting green.
"No, but I got a picture of Stevie," the friend said with glee about Woods' caddie.
Vince Mathis wanted to get an autograph from Woods, but got the next-best thing: a photo with Hank Haney, the swing coach for the four-time Masters champion.
"I said, 'Hank, is the man here?' He said, 'Yeah, he's up at the putting green,' " said Mathis, who is from Bowie, Md. "I said, 'Hank, can I get a picture?' He said, 'Sure, come on. Get a picture with me.'
"So he called me in to get a picture. I don't know who else was with him; I didn't know if that was Tiger's wife. I told him every time I show up, Tiger wins. He smiled and said, 'That's a good sign.' "
Reach Mike Wynn at (706) 823-3218 or mike.wynn@augustachronicle.com.
Masters Record
| Year | Place | Score | Round | Money | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||
| 2008 | 2 | -5 | 72 | 71 | 68 | 72 | $ 810,000 |
| 2007 | 2 | 3 | 73 | 74 | 72 | 72 | $ 541,333 |
| 2006 | 3 | -4 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 70 | $ 315,700 |
| 2005 | 1 | -12 | 74 | 66 | 65 | 71 | $ 1,260,000 |
| 2004 | 22 | 2 | 75 | 69 | 75 | 71 | $ 70,200 |
| 2003 | 15 | 2 | 76 | 73 | 66 | 75 | $ 93,000 |
| 2002 | 1 | -12 | 70 | 69 | 66 | 71 | $ 1,008,000 |
| 2001 | 1 | -16 | 70 | 66 | 68 | 68 | $ 1,008,000 |
| 2000 | 5 | -4 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 69 | $ 184,000 |
| 1999 | 18 | 1 | 72 | 72 | 70 | 75 | $ 52,160 |
| 1998 | 8 | -3 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 70 | $ 89,600 |
| 1997 | 1 | -18 | 70 | 66 | 65 | 69 | $ 486,000 |
| 1996 | 60 | 6 | 75 | 75 | $ 0 | ||
| 1995 | 41 | 5 | 72 | 72 | 77 | 72 | $ 0 |
PGA Tour 2009 season record
| Tournament | Place | Score | Round | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard | 1 | -5 | 68 | 69 | 71 | 67 |
| WGC - CA Championship | T9 | -11 | 71 | 70 | 68 | 68 |
