FanHouse AugustaNational

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Back in black, with a stylish blue stripe on each sleeve, Tiger Woods snarled and seethed like an unleashed animal as he walked to the first tee. His stare was so intense, he didn't notice the "patrons" who were pushing and shoving in an eight-deep scrum to catch a brief glimpse, pressing so zealously against the ropes that a security guard shouted, "Two steps back, please!"

Of course, this is what the world has awaited for 10 anxious months, the comeback from his Battle of Wounded Knee, the return of sport's most breathtaking and history-rattling show to a major stage. He can't repair the economy, cure diseases or stop Lindsay Lohan from fighting with her ex-girlfriend, but it's uncanny how Woods' presence stimulates the American attention span.

"Welcome back, Tiger," a boy yelled above the din. "Win for me."

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So, how come CBS only shows roughly 11 hours of Masters coverage -- which certainly isn't the case for the U.S. and British Opens -- when Augusta National Golf Club could be raking in the dough by allowing the network to televise all weekend?

For starters, Augusta National is an island -- they basically make the rules. ESPN.com's Jason Sobel provides the specifics when answering an e-mail from a reader:

Q: I'm a VP of international finance, so I know something about numbers. Why doesn't the Masters allow CBS to show more coverage?

Sobel: There's a definitely "less is more" philosophy around this place. Members play golf sparingly, rather than tearing it up for 36 holes a day. Limited badges are sold to "patrons" rather than trying to pack in a full house. A smaller field is invited rather than the 156 players which make up other tournaments. And the TV coverage goes hand-in-hand with that philosophy.

The good news, according to Sobel, is that things are getting better: "The first two rounds were only broadcast for the first time in 1982. It wasn't that long ago that the front nine holes were never televised. And live Internet coverage was conceived last year. So, it's getting there." And don't forget, we have Augusta National to thank for the "limited commercial interruptions." To which I say, thank you Augusta, thank you very much.

I love golf, and no tournament more than the Masters. And while I would love to watch every minute of every round, for me, I don't begrudge Augusta for holding back. Unlike most things that we have been beaten about the head with (like, say, the 47 different versions of CSI), I appreciate the "less is more" philosophy, as Sobel describes it. Because you know what? Less leaves you wanting more. Imagine that.