THE great Tiger guessing game is the obsession of Augusta.
And there were 50,000-plus walking the most famous course in the USA who are desperate for one answer: Yes.
A quarter of a century after the first of his five Green Jackets, there is still nobody who makes more impact.
Yet this year, it is about more than Tiger frenzy.
It is about disbelief, that a man who was told he might lose his right foot after that horror car crash and was then told he simply could never play again, could tee it up on Thursday.
Ever since Woods flew in for his shock practice round last week, the “miracle” return has become more possible.
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Even more so when it was confirmed that Woods will give a pre-tournament news conference today – when he is expected to deliver the good news.
Woods alone knows for certain – and the torrential rain forecast for the next two days might see a change of heart on a course that is longer than it has ever been before.
But all the signs are that he will answer the prayers of the Augusta “patrons”.
And, indeed, the wishes of his rivals.
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Crowds of 10 or more deep, kids hoisted onto their parents’ shoulders, cameras raised and snapped off in hope rather than expectation that he would be in the frame.
And when caddie Joe LaCava took his bag onto the first tee, that giant Tiger driver head cover, a swirl of orange and black, felt like the standard carried into battle in front of a Medieval king.
It brought more spontaneous screams and shouts, the wait for him to appear through the throng adding to the sense of drama.
When he did, clad in deep navy blue rather than his trademark Sunday best roaring red, the roars echoed, a magnet for thousands to make their way and line both sides of the opening hole.
Woods was playing with close pal Justin Thomas and veteran Fred Couples, whose driver he tested out for length before cracking one away down the middle – although 30 yards short of the youngest of the trio.
But while he is not walking freely, clearly aware of the right ankle – and wearing new shoes designed to give extra support – there was a smile on his face, one of determination but also excitement.
Of course, Woods has only ever been interested in winning before.
The question is whether he would really want to even go to the first tee on Thursday if he knows, deep in his heart, that this time he cannot win?
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Unless, of course, he feels that being able to defy the medics and actually put his tee into the ground on America’s greatest stretch of 18 holes would be a victory in itself.
We will all see very soon. But, it seems, the Tiger is back on the prowl.
