Player sees no reason he won't play Masters again

Which is why the woman waiting between the 18th green and the scorer's tent on Thursday afternoon got what she wanted -- the embrace of a three-time Masters champion who had just shot an 83 on the toughest course he has ever played.

Nor does Player ever turn down his yearly invitation to the Masters as a former champion. His 51st start this year made the 72-year-old South African the record holder for appearances at Augusta National.

Already seven years past the retirement age in this country, Player said he felt a little bit of pressure on Thursday -- pressure to validate his appearance, maybe, or pressure to play well in front of the considerable gallery that followed him around the course.

He put four bogeys and a pair of double-bogeys on his scorecard on the front nine to go out in 44, then made four more bogeys on the back, where he feels more comfortable.

Player's only birdie came at the par-five 13th.

The 83 wasn't his worst Masters score -- that's an 88 -- but it could have been an indication that Player might consider doing what other great golfers of his generation have already done, turning down their invitations.

Player doesn't see it that way.

"No," he responded when asked he saw anything in his first round that would cause him to re-think playing again next year.

"If I can still shoot around 80 -- if I have a good day, I still putt very well and my short game is still very good," Player said.

A bomber's paradise since long after Player won his third Masters title in 1978, Augusta National has outgrown the diminutive South African, which is why he needs to hit a wood on just about every hole.

But Player's appearances at Augusta haven't been about winning for a very long time. Seven years older than anyone else in the field, the nine-time major champion was laughing after posting his 83 on Thursday.

"Man, that's a tough golf course," he said. "No question, the toughest golf course that I've ever played, not even a doubt.

"Par for me is 80," he joked, "so I was three-over par today, for me. I thought I was going to go for a lot more, though, but I played the back nine well. I thought the course was marvelous."

It will be waiting for him again next year.

Along with another hug, presumably.