More practice for Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara

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AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods was back on the course this morning with his favorite practice partner, Mark O’Meara. Like Tuesday, the two were the first players off the first tee, at 7 a.m. Chicago time.

But unlike Tuesday, Woods and O’Meara called it a day after nine holes.

Woods is not expected to play in the Par 3 Contest, which begins at noon Chicago time. (ESPN’s coverage begins at 2 p.m.) Woods has played the Par 3 infrequently but did make an ace on the ninth hole in 2004.

Woods got some attention Tuesday for breaking out his cell phone while on a green. You can imagine the text-messaging jokes among the patrons.

In this case, Woods shot some video of O’Meara to show him a flaw in his putting stroke.

‘He’s been coaching me,’ O’Meara said. ‘I feel like in my 30 years of playing professional golf, Tiger Woods had a big impact on my life. I might not have won this tournament in ’98 if it wasn’t for him, but I also believe I had a big impact on his life. In these times that are difficult, you try to lean on your friends, and I’ll be there for him.’

Woods and O’Meara are among some 40 players on the course today. The Masters field is expected to number 96, with a group of Nathan Green, Heath Slocum and Louis Oosthuizen teeing off first Thursday, at 6:50 a.m. Chicago time.

-- Teddy Greenstein