• The Masters

Augusta chairman launches attack on Tiger

Tiger Woods lost sight of his responsibilities and let down his fans as a result, according to Augusta National Golf Club chairman Billy Payne.

Woods, who took a break from golf after admitting to a series of extra-marital affairs, has not competed on the PGA Tour since November.

Ahead of the world No.1's return to golf at Augusta, Payne was scathing in his criticism of Woods.

"Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children," Payne said. "It is not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here, it is the fact he disappointed all of us and more importantly our kids and our grandkids.

"He forgot in the process to remember that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility. I hope he can come to understand that life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people."

In a media address on Monday, Woods pledged to cut a less aloof and irritable figure on the golf course - a change Payne feels is necessary for his comeback to be judged as a success.

"We at Augusta hope and pray our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner but this time with a significant difference from the past," he said.

Woods, a four-time Masters winner, is scheduled to tee off in the penultimate group in Thursday's opening round with American Matt Kuchar and South Korean KJ Choi.

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Ian Poulter gives his son Luke James some putting tips during the traditional Par 3 tournament © Getty Images

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Meanwhile at the traditional Wednesday Par 3 tournament, all the big-guns avoided the dreaded 'curse' which has supposedly prevented any winner of the pre-tournament competition from going on to claim honours on Sunday.

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen took the spoils with a six-under through nine holes - one stroke off the all-time record.

The light-hearted curtain-raiser, which has been running since 1960, sees players accompanied by family and friends as caddies.

On occasion, partners and children are handed the clubs and Ian Poulter's young son showed glimpses of a bright future in the game with a snaking downhill putt that dropped in to rapturous applause.

Other highlights saw Jim Furyk and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell sunk near-identical aces at the ninth, while Arnold Palmer drained an incredible 30-metre monster putt that took a good 15 seconds to crawl down the slope and into the cup at the same hole.

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