In just three days, four Masters Tournament titles could become five.

Fourteen majors could grow to 15.

Tiger Woods said he is poised to win the first major of 2009, his first of what he hopes will be all four majors this year.

He has droves of people who have faith it could happen.

Even Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Chairman Billy Payne is sitting on the edge of his seat.

"I can't wait. I've never been on the golf course to watch any golf in 11 years, because I had this media job and y'all kept me a prisoner down here," Payne said at his State of the Masters address Wednesday, "but I think I'm going to go watch him play a few holes."

Many patrons, whether casual or diehard, share Payne's enthusiasm.

Butch James, of Raleigh, N.C., has followed Woods at Pinehurst in the past. He even had his son climb a tree near the driving range to snap pictures of Woods, because they couldn't get a decent view. The crowd was nearly 20-people deep at that U.S. Open.

"It's almost like if he's playing, you're better off sitting at home watching it in high-definition," James said.

Whether James is lounging on his couch or walking the course, though, he's cheering for Woods.

"He's probably the best player that's been out here in 30 years," James said.

Woods has won 66 PGA Tour events and 11 international events. His success makes it easy for golf fans to pull for the favorite.

"Rooting for Tiger is like rooting for the house in blackjack," said Andy Schlitz, of North Canton, Ohio. "I'm a Tiger fan because you can't not be a fan of what he does."

Brian Rogers, of Tampa, Fla., has watched Woods since he turned professional in 1996.

"He really takes the time to understand it and to appreciate the fans," Rogers said. "He does a great job. That's a lot to manage, and he did it at a very young age.

"You see many other superstars out there that dominate sports and they can't handle it. It's very impressive for him to do what he has done."

James McNeill, of Atlanta, likes Woods' character off the course.

"He talks about his relationship with his (late) father, which is very good for young people who probably need better role models like their parents," McNeill said.

Today, Payne will likely be drawn to the course as Woods takes the initial step in an attempt to win his first major since his knee surgery last year.

"You know, he is a very, very special person; a man who decides the outcome and then he undertakes a strategy; where the rest of us, we all adopt strategies hoping to get to an outcome," Payne said. "He does it just the other way, and he's a really remarkable person."