Waiting For Tiger, Toms, Watson Share Lead

As Tiger Woods' tee time approached, David Toms had already grabbed the early first-round lead at the Masters and Tom Watson is acting like it's the British Open again.

On a cloudy, breezy morning, the 60-year old Watson was 3-under par through 15 holes, tied with Toms who had already posted an opening round 3-under par 69. Steve Marino was also 3-under through 15 holes in what felt like the opening act to the big show that arrives with Tiger's presence on the course.

Defending champion Angel Cabrera was 3-under through 10 holes, showing no sign of easily surrendering his claim as champion.

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson played his first nine holes in 1-under par, keeping him close to the lead. Ernie Els was also at 1-under par.

Charlotte Father And Son Get Lasting Memory

Chip Hunter and his nine-year old son, Jake, left Charlotte at 3:40 a.m. Thursday to make sure they were in Augusta in plenty of time to have a good viewing spot when Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus hit the ceremonial opening tee shots at 7:40 a.m.

They made it in plenty of time and were in the front row of patrons behind the first tee, giving them a perfect view. Jake wore his blue Arnold Palmer Invitational cap he bought off e-Bay, a testament to his admiration for Palmer. He even wrote a third-grade book report about Palmer.

The Hunters left with more than a father-son memory Thursday. Jake went home with the tee Nicklaus used to hit his first ceremonial drive, a gift from a caddie.

Old Is New Again Early At The Masters

They love to keep the old new at the Masters and there's some of that early on the first-day leaderboard.

It has a distinct '80s feel with Bernhard Langer playing his first seven holes 3-under par and the seemingly ageless Tom Watson making birdies on two of his first three holes.

It's early -- Phil Mickelson is just going on the course and Tiger Woods is still three hours away from his tee time -- but it's a nice jolt of nostalgia with Langer and Watson off to good starts.

The conditions are nice so far though the breeze has begun to kick up, throwing a little uncertainty into play. The chance of thunderstorms looms this afternoon though it's too early to know if they'll disrupt play.

By the time they do, one of the old guys may be sitting in the clubhouse with a big smile on his face.

Jack And Arnie: A Very Cool Start

It was crisp and clear Thursday morning at 7:40 when Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus met on the first tee at Augusta National.

And it was very cool.

As the ceremonial golfer he vowed years ago he would never become, Nicklaus joined Palmer for the first time as an honorary starter at the Masters. Hundreds of patrons gathered around the first tee and on the gentle hillside nearby to get a glimpse of Nicklaus and Palmer together.

After being introduced by club chairman Billy Payne, Palmer -- wearing blue pants and a pink shirt -- teed up his golf ball then glanced at the crowd and jokingly said, "Put your earmuffs on."

Palmer then made his familiar lash at the ball, sending his tee shot down the right side of the first fairway where it eventually rolled into the rough. It didn't matter where it stopped. It was the cheers that mattered.

When it was Nicklaus's turn to hit, he looked at Palmer and asked, "How'd you do that?"

Palmer answered, "Keep your eye on the ball."

Nicklaus smiled then smacked his own tee shot into the distance. Like Palmer, his ball settled in the right rough. A security guard then hustled out and kicked one of the balls about 15 yards further down the fairway.

"I hit a rookie tee shot," Nicklaus remarked afterward. "As long as we didn't hear it land, that was okay."

Nicklaus estimated he and Palmer have played at least 500 rounds of golf together. While they have been great rivals on the course and in business, they have been friends for decades, often flying together to play exhibitions and teaming to win a number of two-man events.

"We've played at least a year together," Nicklaus said.

This was different.

Having played 45 Masters, winning a record six, Nicklaus moved into a new role as an honorary starter. With his granddaughter, Christie, serving as caddie, Nicklaus seemed to embrace the role despite his 7:40 tee time.

"I've never been up this early at Augusta," Nicklaus said

Having attended the champions' dinner Tuesday night, played the par-3 event with Palmer and Gary Player on Wednesday and helping start the Masters this morning, Nicklaus planned to be far away by Friday.

He'll be fishing in the Bahamas, he said. The boat has a television and in the evening, Nicklaus said he might check to see what''s happening at the Masters.

It got off to a very good start.

Miller On Tiger: Needs 72 Or Better Thursday

Johnny Miller thinks Tiger Woods would have done himself a favor had he played one tournament -- the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago -- before he tees it up Thursday in the Masters.

Miller, who made three birdies playing in the Masters par-3 tournament, thinks Woods' first week back will be determined by what happens immediately.

“He’s going to be nervous. He’s going to want to post a number to show he’s not disjointed, physically and mentally that he’s got things sorted out,” Miller said.

“In the back of his mind, he’s probably thinking he’s got a chance to win. In the other part of his mind, he’s probably thinking I sure hope I don’t shoot 76 or 78 the first round. That’s going to be the most nervous round he’s played since he was an amateur.

“To win that green jacket he’s going to have to shoot par or better in that first round.”

Augusta chairman: Tiger disappointed all of us

Augusta National chairman Billy Payne left no doubt this afternoon that he expects more from Tiger Woods than words, birdies and bogeys.

In his annual pre-tournament news conference, Payne said Woods will be judged in the future by his actions rather than his golf scores.

In his initial comments, Payne recognized Woods' great achievements as a golfer before turning to his personal conduct.

"But as he now says himself, he forgot in the process to remember that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility. It is not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here. It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.

"Is there a way forward? I hope yes. I think yes. But certainly his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par; but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change. I hope he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing but would settle for his smile.

"I hope he can come to understand that life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people. We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner, but this time with a significant difference from the past. This year, it will not be just for him, but for all of us, who believe in second chances."

Payne didn't offer much more about Woods other than to say the tournament has taken what it feels are adequate security measures to account for his presence and that Woods attended the annual champions dinner Tuesday night at the club.

Tiger At Quail A Good Possibilty But Not For Sure

There's still no answer as to whether Tiger Woods will play in the Quail Hollow Championship three weeks from now but it remains a good possibility.

What happens at the Masters may determine whether Woods makes Charlotte his first appearance in a regular PGA Tour event since the scandal around his personal life erupted last November. He has not made a final decision about playing Charlotte, I've been told.

A handful of factors will likely play into Woods' decision about Quail Hollow:

How he plays this weekend, how the crowd reacts to him and what else he may have going on in his life.

The crowd reaction at Augusta has been extremely positive and there's no reason to expect that will change. How Woods plays is a bigger question. No one's quite sure what to expect from him when he tees it up on Thursday. Despite his calm demeanor, he's going to feel more nerves than usual on the first tee.

If Woods does play at Quail Hollow, I expect he'll announce it earlier than in the past. Woods has traditionally waited until the last day before entries close to officially commit to tournaments. In Woods' new world, I think we'll see him adjust his commitment schedule, a nice gesture on his part.