You know the economy is in trouble when the Masters is hurting ... When the gates along Augusta's Washington Road opened Monday for three days of practice rounds, the usual crowds poured through to see Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and the rest -- and, of course, the pristine golf course that brings them there.

But outside "The National," signs of a battered business model -- accommodations, entertainment and even that usually ironclad investment, tickets -- are everywhere.

-- Bob Gillespie, The (Columbia) State

Has the Masters lost its mojo?

Hardly, if you judge by the thousands who braved frigid temperatures and gusty winds Tuesday just to have a chance to walk the manicured fairways they know so well by seeing them on TV. They, like the players who talk about the place in hushed tones, understand its hallowed place in the game of golf.

-- Tim Dahlberg, Associated Press

It's the best-run, most ardently followed, most eagerly awaited tournament in golf. But why? What makes the Masters special?

Like the Grand Canyon and the Mona Lisa, it's hard to describe. You've got to stand on the South rim. You've got to look into her eyes. You can't see tradition, but you know it when you feel it.

At Augusta National, the tradition is thicker than Rory McIlroy's hair, thicker than Craig Stadler's waist, thicker than a molasses-drenched Southern accent. It is a large part of the Masters mystique.

-- Gary D'Amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Throughout the course, it seemed like 1996 all over again.

"Hey, where's the Shark?"

"Do you know which hole Greg is on?"

"Has anyone seen Norman?"

Greg Norman, the king of heartache at Augusta National, has returned for another try at that elusive green jacket. He's 54 now, with plenty of gray mixed in with that trademark blond hair, but the Aussie still carries himself with the swagger of a rock star. Which he is just what he is at this Masters.

On a blustery, frigid Tuesday that led Tiger Woods to skip his usual practice round, Norman was the main attraction. Never mind his 0-for-22 record at Augusta, or the fact he hasn't played here since 2002, or all those youngsters who can outdrive him by 45 yards.

The patrons remember an era -- let's call it B.T. (Before Tiger) -- when Norman dominated this place like no other golfer who's never actually won the event.

The Shark appeared done at Augusta after that appearance seven years ago, when he tied for 36th. But an age-defying performance at last summer's British Open, where he led going to the final round before fading to third, earned him another invitation to golf's most exclusive major championship.

-- Paul Newberry, Associated Press

A fresh breeze rustled the pink dogwoods and Chinese fir trees here Tuesday, and that's not to be confused with the 25-mph wind gusts that made the aptly named Augusta National feel more like Royal Birkdale or St. Andrews.

"This looks more like a British Open press conference than it does a Masters press conference," said Tiger Woods, surveying the cardigans and windbreakers in the crowd.

The more meaningful breeze wasn't supplied by Mother Nature. It comes from three players who aren't old enough to drink but just might have enough game to contend at the 2009 Masters.

And perhaps teenagers Rory McIlroy, Ryo Ishikawa and Danny Lee can accomplish something that the 20-something crowd has not -- provide Woods with a meaningful, lasting rival.

Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Camilo Villegas have earned giant endorsement checks and endless adoration from female fans, but they have a combined zero major victories.

Maybe they will get lapped by the likes of the 19-year-old McIlroy ...

-- Teddy Greenstein, The Chicago Tribune

Gary Player bid farewell to the Masters on Monday. He predicted that golfers will evolve as training techniques and nutrition evolve. "My grandchildren's children will never eat any of the foods that we eat today," he said. "You're going to find bionic men playing in time to come.

"Golf is in its infancy. They have a man in Canada, he weighs 165 pounds and he hit the ball 444 yards in the long driving competition. And we have not had big men playing golf, the Michael Jordans and Shaquille O'Neals. They are coming, because they have seen Tiger."

-- Jim Souhan, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)