Today was the first day of the 2010 Masters! Today is referred to as the “Practice Round,” in which players practice on the courses of Augusta National Golf Club by groups and the tee time they are allocated. Each group takes about 15 minutes, which is the expected time for a group to finish a hole. There are boards at the No.1 and the No.10 hole, which display players’ names in each group at each course, and show what time each group starts to practice at that course. Fans have to calculate based on the schedule information on the board, along with the 15-minute time allocations, to figure out where their favorite player or players are, so that they can watch them.

As they awaited the gate opening time of 8 a.m., clients had a first-class, delicious, fresh breakfast at the company’s executive club (this is the company Bryton Harry links with as their exclusive partner that particularly targets Japanese markets).

Finally, it was 8 a.m., and time to open the gate! The main entrance is near the executive club. Even if it was Tiger Woods’ return that inspired the many fans to come to the Masters, the executives and other people who come here for the Masters tend to be “Early Birds.” So, even though it was early morning, many people and a lot of traffic mingled around the main entrance.

Tiger Woods, returning to the golf course after his media scandal, was unshaven and wore sunglasses, and started his practice round early in the morning. His remarkable press conference at 2 p.m. was live-broadcasted not only through the Golf Channel, but also on other major TV channels and on the internet. Woods understood and accepted many questions from the media, some of them very pointed. Fans and media were talking about whether the fans around him on the course were booing him. However, He is “Tiger Woods.”

Once the news that he would be back to the golf course at the Masters was announced, the market price of the Masters tickets was dramatically raised, and some fans purchased the tickets at $3,000. It was clear that the golf fans, the media, and others needed Tiger Woods. People also realize that without Tiger there would be much less interest in the Masters, and so, in a way, they feel grateful to Tiger, and welcome him back. So even though this is Monday and just the first day of the practice round, throngs of people came as if today were the Masters Tournament (which is Thursday through Sunday).

Wherever Tiger Woods went, instead of booing, the fans cheered him, saying “Come on Tiger!” and gave him a heart-warming reception with plenty of applause. Tiger became emotional, and it was clear that he appreciated the fans’ support. His eyes seemed to be moist as he thanked fans at the press conference and said that they “touched my heart.” I think his timing for coming back to the Masters and the special atmosphere of the Masters event caused golf fans to welcome him as if it were his home. He did look at home here.

The Masters announced today that the Masters event will be produced and broadcast in 3D from Wednesday through Sunday. 3D broadcast will be also available on the official website of the Masters at www.masters.com .

Today was very hot. The temperature was at a high of 91 degrees. Groups of people continued to display signage saying “Buy and Sell Tickets” near Washington Road today as well. Kids who sold one-dollar bottles of water joked to the crowd “Cold Beer!” and generated laughs, adding a little fun to this event. The souvenir shop inside the course was very crowded, and the hot temperatures combined with so many crowded fans were beyond the capability of the air conditioning.

Fans are allowed to take photos and video on the courses of Augusta National Golf Club during the practice round from Monday to Wednesday. Many people enjoyed taking pictures of such a beautiful golf course and took a lot of commemorative photos.

While I was across the course, the 2007 Masters champion, Zach Johnson, was walking very close to me. People really enjoy the opportunity here to watch the players at a very close distance, and I recognize again that this wonderful historical golf club and the special atmosphere of the Masters are really different from any other event. Fans can enjoy the specific opportunities only the practice round can offer during the Masters. For example, almost all players hit the balls just from beside the pond and made the balls jump and fly over on the face of the water on the No.16 hole.

During the practice round, the gate closed at 6:30 p.m. Some fans came back and stayed at the executive club until late at night. The restaurants in Augusta host great numbers of people for dinner during the Masters week. We can guide and reserve the good restaurants for you!

The excited town of Augusta seems that it will “never sleep” tonight.