Tiger prepares for Australian Masters
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Tiger Woods braved swarming fans
and a media onslaught as he began preparations for this week's
Australian Masters.
Woods, coming off a hectic week in Thailand that ended Sunday
with a 10-stroke victory in the Asian Honda Classic, handled the
latest round of "Tigermania" with the same skill level
he displays on the course.
"After what I had to go through last week, I'm not surprised
by anything," Woods said today. "I can't describe it,
it was very tough. Thailand was 10 times tougher than here, you
cannot believe how it was."
Woods, whose mother was born in Thailand, said the level of
attention he has received has caused him to fear for his safety,
and also his image.
"The hardest thing is that people kind of mob you, and
at times that can be pretty dangerous," he said. "People
will have to learn that I can only be as obliging as they let
me. If I'm being mobbed, I can't sign a lot of autographs or shake
a lot of hands. If the general public becomes more understanding,
it will be a lot more enjoyable for both of us."
Woods, who reportedly received about $200,000 to play in the
Australasian PGA Tour event at Huntingdale, has four victories
in 13 professional starts. The three-time U.S. Amateur champion
finished fifth in the Australian Open in December, 12 strokes
behind winner Greg Norman.
Asked what he thought about being tabbed by fellow pro Ernie
Els as the nominal favorite to win the U.S. Masters, Woods replied
with disarming confidence that it was a logical assumption.
"When you look at my physical aspects, I should always
be favorite to win there, as should John Daly," the 21-year-old
American said. "We both hit the ball long and we hit the
ball very high."
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