Woods' return dominates Monday afternoon as patrons follow

The view was so perfect, the camera had to be put to use.

So Jon Straffon posed and smiled as his friend Tom Fitzgerald took a picture with Tiger Woods in the background on the fifth green.

“I just happened to, walking up here, and here he is himself – one of the most famous golfers ever, right? So it was great,” Straffon said.

Straffon, from Cleveland, was making his first visit to the Masters Tournament. He wasn’t the only one to enjoy Woods’ return. If anything, once 4 p.m. hit, the new hottest item at Augusta National Golf Club wasn’t in the gift shops. It was whoever could snap a picture of Woods while he went through his Monday practice round.

With cameras raised high to grab shots or others taking selfies, just about any patron with a camera wanted a picture of Woods as he made his in-front-of-patrons return to Augusta for the first time since 2013.

Patrons leaned far over ropes to get an obstructed glimpse, much to the amusement of Woods’ caddie Joe LaCava at hole No. 7.

“You must be desperate,” LaCava said, smiling.

Wherever Woods went, a mass of people followed.

“Is this all for Mark O’Meara?” joked one patron, referencing Woods’ practice round partner.

With such a cluster following the four-time Masters winner, patrons game-planned in hopes of getting a better sight line for Woods. Some wanted to go ahead to the next tee. Others walked to the next hole’s green. Still others hurried two or three holes in front of Woods, hoping for a clearer look.

“Running is prohibited at Augusta National,” one patron said while waiting for a crossway at No. 5 to open. “So we got to walk fast.”

After Woods walked by on No. 7, Bruce Wigginton looked through his photos for the day, including his shots of Woods. Wigginton, from Williamston, Mich., was with his brother, Kevin.

Though some patrons had different takes on Woods’ chances, they were unanimous in acknowledging the thrill Woods provided now that he’s back after missing the 2014 tournament.

After taking his friend’s picture, Fitzgerald took another photo of Woods. Fitzgerald’s first trip to the Masters, coincidentally, was in 2005 – Woods’ last Masters win.

Could this be his year?

“Tiger at the Masters?” Fitzgerald said. “Always a chance. Absolutely. It’s his tournament.”