Mark McMahon's Masters diary: Tiger still king for fans at Augusta

The sheer volume of people in the vicinity made viewing difficult. And despite welcome gradients on this side of the ropes that largely guarantee good vantage points to a range of holes, many were reverting to standing on their toes - or thinking strategically ahead - to get a glimpse of the main man.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler may attract large galleries everywhere they go given their current standings in the game - but it’s nothing compared to the pulling power of Tiger Woods. He remains the master, in that respect.

With 15 major wins under his belt, five victories around Augusta National and 82 PGA Tour successes to his name, for many, he’s simply the greatest player ever to swing a club. The 48-year-old former undisputed world No1, who’s making just his second appearance of the season here in Georgia, might currently occupy 959th spot in the current standings - but what’s a number when sporting greatness is in your presence!

I was at the Masters in 2019 when Woods secured his fifth green jacket. The number watching his every move and swing that final Sunday was immense - and it was a popularity replicated among the world’s media. If you managed to get a spot inside Augusta’s vast press auditorium that day, you could consider yourself very lucky.

But this was day two of the Masters, when nothing is won - although plenty can still be lost.

Having heard the sound advice, and taking stock of my surroundings myself, I thought it was a decent shout. I proceeded to head to the green behind the par-three fourth - with vast areas of unoccupied space to my left and a mass of spectators lining the third fairway on my right.

"It has to be Tiger” was one comment overheard from a group of spectators who inadvertently stumbled across the throng. The only problem was, there was no shortage of people with the same idea. A sizeable crowd had already gathered in anticipation of Wood’s forthcoming visit.

Staying ahead of the play is a decent tactic when walking the course - but this was ridiculous.

It came as no surprise, then, that the next par three, the sixth - which is one of Augusta’s many iconic holes - was already a no-go area, suitable only for those diehards who, let’s say, don’t mind the aroma of the person next to them infiltrating their personal space as temperatures began to rise in the Georgia sun!

Amen Corner was very much the same. Luckily that coincided with our man McIlroy’s second-round tee-off time. There was still a battle for the best vantage points as the Holywood man once again proved his Masters popularity.

But Tiger is still king, on that score.

Many of the patrons made their way back to catch Rory and current undisputed No1 Scottie Scheffler battle the elements once Woods was done. The wind, once again, playing havoc with best-laid plans.

For others, though, watching Tiger was what they were here for as they headed for the exits.

There was no rolling back of the years from the main attraction as he carded a level par 72 to finish one over and well inside the cut.

That guaranteed the survivor of a serious 2021 car crash a record 24th consecutive weekend at Augusta.

The patrons will be pleased with that...very pleased!