AUGUSTA, Ga. — It will be as important an 18 holes as Tiger Woods will play this year, a single round of golf that will speak volumes about not only how well he will do at the 74th Masters, but how he’ll be received for the immediate future.
At 1:42 p.m., Woods will step to the first tee at Augusta National, receive polite applause, then take his first competitive swing since he was exposed as a serial adulterer in November. Whether he admits it or not, he will be under more pressure than any opening 18 holes he has played in his career.
“That first tee, I’m looking forward to it,” Woods said during his press conference on Monday.
But that was before Augusta National chairman Billy Payne tongue-lashed him yesterday saying, Woods “disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids.”
Woods has talked about having more fun on the golf course and appreciating the game more. But the fun could end quickly. In his 15 previous Masters, Woods has never shot in the 60s in the opening round. Since 2003 when the recent extensive course changes began, Woods has averaged 73.1 in the first round of the par-72 course.
Moreover, the first hole has proven his most difficult hole on the course. It’s a par-4 445-yard slight dogleg right. Trees frame the left side of the fairway, while a bunker guards the right side. A precise second shot to a tricky undulating green is needed for a chance at birdie. Most players are relieved to score par.
In his 58 rounds at the Masters, Woods has played the first hole in 15-over par with just three birdies. By comparison, he has played his second-most difficult hole, the par-4 fourth, at 10-over par.
If history says the first hole is hard enough when Woods is primed for the Masters, it should be more difficult having not played in five months and having the added pressure of redemption for all his transgressions.
“The fact that I haven’t really played at all, that’s a little bit concerning,” Woods admitted. “I’m hoping I get my feel back quickly, feel for the game, feel for shots, feel for how my body is reacting and what my distances are going to be. I hope I get that back relatively quickly, maybe hopefully the first hole. But if not, please hope it’s the second hole.”
Woods is the betting favorite to win the tournament, but that’s based on reputation. He has won 14 majors, four Green Jackets and finished in the top six at the Masters for five straight years. He last won here in 2005 after shooting a 74 in the opening round and following with scores of 66-65-71. But he shot 70 in the first rounds when he won in 1997, 2001 and 2002.
A 2-under 70 today would be remarkable considering the circumstances. Emotionally, he is enduring the most trying time of his life with his reputation and marriage in ruin. Physically, he hasn’t been able to focus totally on golf. Weather also could be a factor. There’s a chance of late afternoon showers with wind gusts up to 25 mph.
Woods has talked about wanting to have fun playing golf again now that his personal life isn’t cluttered with juggling mistresses.
“That’s something that’s been missing,” he said. “Have I been winning, have I been competing, have I been doing well? Yeah, I have. I’ve won numerous times the last few years, but I wasn’t having anywhere near the amount of fun. Why? Because look at what I was engaged in. When you live a life where you’re lying all the time, life is not fun. Now that’s been stripped all away and here I am. And it feels fun again.”
We’ll see how long that lasts.
george.willis@nypost.com