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Golf-KJ delights in Choi-ce pairing with Tiger at Masters
Golf-Champ Cabrera's treat is just walking into the locker room
Golf-Groupings for first two rounds of U.S. Masters

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Golf-KJ delights in Choi-ce pairing with Tiger at Masters

Posted: 06 Apr 2010 12:04 PM PDT

By Larry Fine

AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 6 (Reuters) - Some players would be worried about a pairing with Tiger Woods on his return to golf this week at the Masters but K.J. Choi said he welcomed the chance after being drawn to play with the world number one.

The South Korean told a small group of reporters behind the 18th green after a practice round on Tuesday that an official told him at the 15th hole that he would be grouped with Woods.

Choi, the leading Asian player of the last decade with seven U.S. PGA Tour wins, said he had a premonition he would get to play with Woods.

"I sort of had a feeling when I left Dallas to come here," former weightlifter Choi said. "I said to myself, 'It would be cool if I was paired with Tiger.' And it happened.

"It's a good surprise."

Choi and American Matt Kuchar will tee off with Woods at 1342 (1742 GMT) at Augusta National in the year's first major and the first appearance by Woods in nearly five months since revelations of a string of marital infidelities.

The crush of spectators that routinely follow Woods can be a distraction for playing partners in ordinary circumstances but the curiosity about how well he will do and the crowd's reaction to him promises to create even more of a spectacle.

'MORE AGGRESSIVE'

"I love to play with him. I've played with Tiger a few times. I'm not going to be bothered by the number of galleries there," he said through his interpreter Michael Yim.

"I actually like playing with big crowds, so I think I'm going to be playing a little bit more aggressive and I'm looking forward to it.

"For me, I'm used to playing with Tiger. When you play with Tiger there's a certain aura or atmosphere that's very different as opposed to when you play with other players.

"I know what that feels like so I'm used to it and don't think it will bother me at all," said Choi.

Choi said he did not think fans would disrupt the golf by heckling Woods about his personal life.

"To take what has happened outside the golf course and to bring it inside the golf course, I don't think that's right.

"I believe they are educated enough to respect the game of golf. Whatever happened with Tiger in the past is in the past. He's trying to move forward. I think it will be okay.

"I'm happy he's back," he added with a hearty laugh. "He's only going to help the game of golf."

(Reporting by Larry Fine, Editing by Jon Bramley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Golf-Champ Cabrera's treat is just walking into the locker room

Posted: 06 Apr 2010 12:04 PM PDT

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 6 (Reuters) - Angel Cabrera is a battle-hardened veteran of professional golf but the experience of returning to Augusta National for his U.S. Masters title defence this week has left the 40-year-old awestruck.

Twelve months ago, the Argentine won his second major title in a nerve-jangling playoff with Americans Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry, earning him the right to a spot in Augusta's hallowed champions' locker room.

"It's very hard to describe walking in there to see all of the names on the lockers," Cabrera told reporters on Tuesday.

"To look around and see (names such as Seve) Ballesteros, (Nick) Faldo and (Jack) Nicklaus, it's an amazing experience.

"It's an honour to be back here in a very special place where they always make us feel special," added the long-hitting Cabrera, who spoke through a Spanish interpreter.

Players arrive at Augusta National by driving through the fabled front gates on Washington Road before making their way toward the clubhouse along iconic Magnolia Lane.

"It was a great sensation," Cabrera recalled of his arrival earlier this week. "A feeling of great satisfaction going down it (Magnolia Lane) after leaving here last year with the jacket on."

Winners of the Masters are presented with the cherished Green Jacket, a very visible confirmation they have joined elite company.

ELITE GROUP

Should Cabrera go on to triumph at Augusta National on Sunday, he would join another elite group of golfers as a three-times major champion.

"It would be a great honour to be able to be on that list, especially now when I think it's going to be even harder for players to get on it," he said.

Among contemporary players, world number one Tiger Woods heads the standings with 14 major titles. Next best, with three apiece, are Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington.

Woods, who makes his long awaited return to competition this week after almost five months out while trying to repair his marriage, has won an average of one major every year since turning professional in late 1996.

Speculation on how the world number one will fare on his Masters comeback has dominated the build-up to the year's first major but Cabrera felt all the hype had been overblown.

"The Masters is the Masters," said the Argentine, who won his first major title at the 2007 U.S. Open.

"They can talk about anybody, they can talk about Tiger but the Masters is the Masters, and we have to give that importance to the Masters as the Masters."

(Editing by Jon Bramley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)