AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - Tiger Woods has apologized to his fellow golfers for being bombarded with questions about his private life, and says the reception of the Augusta National fans “blew me away.”

Woods also revealed Monday that he had five stitches in his mouth after the infamous Thanksgiving night car crash that exposed details of his sordid private life.

Woods played a practice round with Fred Couples, and Jim Furyk joined them at the 13th hole. The crowd gave a tepid but respectful response, and Woods even stopped to sign autographs on the way to the practice range.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - He's often greeted with applause – but today, Tiger Woods was met with awkward silence from about 500 fans on the first tee at Augusta National in Georgia.

He was on the course early today to start a practice round with Fred Couples in advance of this week's Masters, which marks his return to golf.

There was an occasional shout of “Welcome back, Tiger.” And Woods turned to acknowledge the fans with a nod and a smile. It's something he rarely did before the sex scandal that sent him to the sidelines amid intense public scrutiny and some ridicule.

Woods hooked his opening tee shot toward the ninth fairway and hit another. He walked briskly, chatting with Couples as fans lining the fairways took pictures of every step.

Later today, Woods faces questions from reporters for the first time since the November car crash that led to the disclosure of his infidelity.
(COPYRIGHT 2010 BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)