Fred Couples optimistic Tiger Woods will play in Masters after their practice round at Augusta National

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Two security guards tried to clear a path for patrons after Tiger Woods made his way to the putting area.

One of the security guards said that a player was coming through.

Defending Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama was not noticed by the thousands of fans surrounding the putting green and No. 1 tee box.

Woods was the center of attention during the practice rounds. The 15-time major champion hasn't played in a PGA Tour event in 17 months after suffering serious injuries in a car wreck. In December, he told reporters that doctors almost cut off his leg.

Patrons might not have noticed Woods' limp if they didn't know about his previous injuries. The threesome played the first nine holes in less than two and a half hours.

Couples said that he is kind of a tough guy. He was walking well. You can always be in pain, but to hit it like that is just the walking part. He will contend if he can walk around here for 72 holes. He is too good.

Couples, one of Woods' closest friends, believes Woods will play in the Masters if there is no setbacks over the next couple of days.

I hope everything keeps going Tuesday and Wednesday, and I am sure he will tee it up Thursday, Couples said.

Fans of golf are excited to see Woods back on the course. Fans lined the fairway from the tee box to the green when Woods hit his drive on the first hole. It looked like galleries would be following the final groups at Augusta National on Saturday or Sunday, instead of a nine-hole practice round on Monday.

Woods hit five out of seven fairways and five out of nine greens, but missed one fairway and was on the back fringe of greens on two par 3s. He took time to read the lines from different areas of the greens, instead of trying to make putts.

He looked great, Couples said. I know that he is not the longest hitter on tour, but I know he is long. He was with him.

Couples was surprised that Woods was playing at a major championship so soon after his accident. Couples said he was going to play with Woods a couple of months ago.

Couples said that he was going to Florida to work with him and have him watch him play. He said that he had to start sometime. I have to start playing and walking.

Couples watched the video of Woods walking at his home course, the Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, more than a week ago.

I don't call him and say, "Oh, you snuck out and played and walked at the Medalist", Couples said. I love him so much that I want to keep it that way. I don't want to pry into what he does. The majority of the texts were about his children. Charlie got fitted for new clubs and his daughter was playing soccer. He said that he was going to go to Augusta.

On Sunday night, Couples said he got a text message from Woods inviting him to play a practice round the next day.

Couples said that he has a back issue. He had back issues, a few operations and a terrible car accident. He is the first to tell you that he is lucky to be alive and with his family.

I don't know what to say. He is the greatest player to ever play. You give him a few minutes, you give him a couple of good legs, and he swings like this. The walking part of it will follow. I am not going to guess. I watched him today and he looked great.

The 1992 Masters champion, Couples, is not the only player who is happy to see Woods back at the Masters.

The game needs him, everyone needs him, and the fans need him.

After having surgery to repair a knee injury, he missed the cut at the Masters.

I was in his shoes two weeks after surgery. I know what he is up against. It will be difficult. If anyone can do it, it is him.

Simpson said Woods will be a contender to win a sixth green jacket if he plays this week.

Simpson said that if anyone asked if Tiger could contend, the answer was yes. This week he is trying to come back after the car wreck. I hope he does it on Thursday.