watch The Masters: Woods takes heat on eve of return to golf

Payne would not discuss details of their Sunday afternoon meeting.

Based on his blunt criticism of Woods during his annual press conference Wednesday, they probably weren't talking about how Woods was hitting the ball or his chances of winning a fifth green jacket.

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

They were the strongest words from a Masters chairman since Hootie Johnson's famous "point of a bayonet" reply to Martha Burk in the summer of 2002 when he defended the club's right to an all-male membership.

Payne was one of the Augusta National members who stood among the Georgia pines to the right of the first fairway on Monday, the first time Woods played before a gallery since being caught cheating on his wife five months ago.

No other golf official has been so outspoken about Woods' behavior.

No other major is like the Masters.

Even though Woods is a four-time champion and the No. 1 player in the world, he is at Augusta National by invitation, just like the other 95 players who will tee it up on Thursday.

Woods had already played his final practice round -- nine holes with Mark O'Meara -- and left the course when Payne held his news conference. The chairman saved his thoughts on Woods for the end of his opening statement.

By rhyanjames.info