Headline Writers Feast On Tiger's Early Practice Round Restart

There wasn't much of a story, but the photos and headlines conjured up a little fun Tuesday after Tiger teed off Monday at 6:40 am., only to be told he had to wait until 7 am.

From The Herald: Tiger Woods sent off with his tail between his legs

The Herald also featured a priceless shot that sadly ran too small online because in it you'd see the "Huh" grimace on Lindsey Vonn's face on the mis-identified photo suggesting caddie Joe LaCava is present (or he's shrunk!).

John Greechan's Daily Mail story features a nice array of images showing a shocked, hurt and completely compliant Tiger with quotes making clear this was a misunderstanding. That didn't stop this headline:

What made Tiger bare his claws at Muirfield steward during Open practice round?

There was buried lede of sorts in Ewan Murray's Guardian account: the 7 am start is not just for course preparation, but also for spectators.

On Monday morning Woods was told he could not tee off as planned from the 10th tee at 6.40am. Signs on the course note that play is prevented until 7am to allow greens staff time to prepare and exit the course. A championship spokesman said: "The practice tee opens at 7am and that was communicated to the players.

"This is to help spectators see as much play as possible and to give the greenkeepers sufficient time to prepare the course to the highest standard each morning."

Tiger cleared things up in his Tuesday morning press conference:

Q. We know you are somebody that likes to practice at the crack of dawn before the Majors. We understand you were prevented from going out before 7:00 yesterday. Can you tell us the circumstances? Has it been an inconvenience not to be able to practice earlier? Do you think perhaps you were targeted slightly so that more people can see you later in the day?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I like getting up early, especially when the sun comes up at 4:00 in the morning here. It's hard to sleep in. And I don't sleep much to begin with. It's light early. I've always liked coming out here. The golf course doesn't change much; from five in the morning to seven at night, nine at night, it's virtually the same. Peter was explaining that he's having the grounds crew cut it from No. 1 through 18 as a routine, to get them accustomed to that pattern for the championship. That's one of the reasons why he wants us to tee off at 7:00 on the first tee. I totally understand it. I remember at St. Andrews, that Mark, Calc and I would go out there at about 5 a.m. and drop at ball on 2, and play on and come back in. And go back out and putt it at 8 or 9 at night.