Expect veterans to complete Woods' Masters pairing

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Will Tiger Woods (left) play with Jim Furyk in his first round back at the Masters?

Now that we've know when Tiger Woods will return to competition, the next question is who will he be playing with in the first two rounds at Augusta National?

Unlike the PGA TOUR, the draw at the Masters Tournament is not computer generated. So who should the Competition Committee of the Augusta National choose to round out Woods' threesome for the first two rounds?

Jim Furyk admitted Friday he hadn't really thought about it. But once the question was posed, he said he expects to see veteran players who can handle any potential distractions in Woods' group.

"Some people probably would really like that pairing and kind of feel comfortable and enjoy all of the attention, and other people would probably just much rather be off somewhere quiet on the other side of the course doing their own thing it," Furyk said. "I'm not exactly sure who you pick.

"... Boy, it's a tough job, actually, when you think about it, ... for the Masters. But I don't have a problem with it. I don't ever worry too much about stuff."

Padraig Harrington said he knew it wouldn't be a normal week. But if you were to be in Woods' group in his first tournament back, Augusta National would be the best place since "it is as ordered as can be there," the Irishman said.

"So I for one would be quite comfortable if I got drawn with Tiger the first two rounds at the Masters," Harrington said. "I do not see it being any different than being drawn with him the first two rounds last year.

"I do believe, though, if it was first two rounds at Bay Hill that would be slightly different. But then again, you wouldn't mind being there to watch it all."

Like Harrington, Kenny Perry said he would be comfortable with the inevitable scrutiny that Woods' pairing would attract. He considers Woods a friend and while he's disappointed in admissions of infidenlity, he hopes the fans are willing to forgive the world No. 1.

"I would say it would be a tough pairing to tell you the truth," Perry said. "I'm old enough to maybe handle that, I don't know much maybe you need some hillbilly like me to do that.

"But it will be different because I'm sure the players will be focused on Augusta, yet focused on what's going on with him, and paying attention to what he's doing out there, too. A bit curious -- curiosity to how is he hitting the ball, how is he going to play."

Steve Stricker was paired with Woods in the first two rounds of all four events in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup last year. He was also Woods' partner in all the Foursomes and Four-Ball matches at The Presidents Cup.

Stricker said he's excited Woods is coming back and he's interested to see how the game's No. 1 player -- and the fans -- handle his re-entry to competition. At the same time, though, he's noncommittal on whether he wants to be in Woods' group at Augusta National.

"You know what? I don't feel like it's going to be any different," Stricker said. "I'm not going to treat him any different and I hope he doesn't treat me any different. ... I've enjoyed playing with him over the last year or two.

"In one respect, it would be fun to be part of that group. And the other end of it, you know, you could do without the distractions, too. So I'm split on that."