Masters veterans Greg Norman (right) and Fred Couples look to the green after tee shots off No. 3. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)

Sentimental favorite Greg Norman has admittedly received an overflow of support from fellow players since his arrival at Augusta National Golf Club this week.

That encouragement, as he prepares for his first Masters Tournament since 2002, is a far cry from what he remembers when he held the world's No. 1 ranking for more than six years.

"I was just in the locker room and it's different," Norman said after Tuesday's chilly practice round. "Even the players are ... 'Hey, play well, play well, play well.' I know in the '80s, they were not coming up to me and saying, 'Hey Greg, play well,' that's for sure."

Norman, of course, realizes that his tortured history in the tournament -- and his willingness to face those failures with dignity -- is the reason for the sentiment. Still, the 54-year-old has no desire to be relegated to ceremonial competitor status, a relic with no hope of a competitive showing.

"I wanted to come in here feeling like I could feel semi OK about my game, because I love this place. I've been very open about it. I love it," he said. "I didn't want to just come in here and feel like, 'OK slap it around, get a pair of 85s and get out of here. You want to come in here and feel I can put up some good numbers."

Because Norman hasn't been in contention at Augusta since he finished three strokes behind 1999 champion Jose Maria Olazabal, it might seem unlikely that the three-time Masters runner-up could summon his game of the 1980s and '90s that made him one of the sport's most formidable players.

Now Norman is only a part-time competitor, and his attention to his golf game has been diverted somewhat with his marriage last year to tennis legend Chris Evert and numerous business interests.

Norman had made plans to spend Masters Week in the Middle East designing golf courses, and that's where he'd be, if not for a surprising lead after 54 holes at the British Open and eventual tie for third that earned him a spot in this week's Masters field.

He spent the past several weeks preparing for his 23rd visit to the tournament that was the source of his most memorable disappointments -- heartbreaking losses to 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and on Larry Mize's playoff chip-in in 1987, not to mention Nick Faldo in 1996, when Norman blew a six-shot lead on Sunday.

Though a 36th-place finish in the Champions Tour Cap Cana Championship and a 70th-place tie at last weekend's Shell Houston Open indicate Norman's chances this week are slim, some in the field point to last year's British Open as evidence that Norman can contend. They're hoping for it, even.

"This is going to be a better tournament because he's here," fellow Australian Geoff Ogilvy said. "I mean, people forget, but he was the one that everybody went to see before Tiger (Woods) came along. For that period of time, he was the charismatic guy that got the big crowds and was the exciting one to watch."

Norman reminded fans of those days in July at Royal Birkdale, when for three days he was the "Great White Shark" of old, stalking pins and eliciting roars from the British crowds. Whether he can re-create that magic on an Augusta National course that stretches nearly 165 yards longer than the last time he competed is a different story.

Norman rules nothing out, but attempts to keep his expectations realistic.

"If it warms up, I think guys in my age bracket might do a little bit better," he said. "... Would I like to be there? Yes, of course, I'd like to be there Sunday, but I've got to take my expectations and manage them properly, and just see how it plays out."