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Tiger's Practice Rounds: Two Down, One to Go
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods played his second practice round Monday at cool and overcast Augusta National Golf Club in preparation for the 72nd Masters Tournament. The four-time champion was paired with former Masters winner and Florida neighbor Mark O'Meara on Sunday. On Monday, they were joined for a morning session by Aussie Richard Green.
Woods said the greens and fairways are soft from heavy rain last week and that the course is playing long. No cups were cut Sunday and the practice green was much faster than the greens on the course, although that will change shortly.
Per his custom at major championships, the 32-year-old Woods will play his final practice round Tuesday, then meet with the press. On Wednesday, he will come to the course to hit balls and putt, then return to his rental home to rest for Thursday's first round.
First-round pairings will be announced Tuesday.
Woods has opened 2008 in strong fashion, winning three of four starts on the PGA Tour: the Buick Invitational, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational. His string of five straight PGA Tour titles and seven consecutive worldwide wins ended at the WGC-CA Championship at Doral, where he finished fifth.
Woods previously won green jackets in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005.
--Mark Soltau