Tiger Woods the world number one was scolded by Augusta National over his sex scandal. On Wednesday the eve of the 74th Masters - Billy Payne - Augusta National Golf Club chairman said Tiger Woods "disappointed all of us" with his epic sex scandal.
"Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children," Payne said. "He forgot in the process to remember that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility."
Putting his golf career on hold to try and save his marriage to wife Elin, Woods will make his return from a five month layoff in Thursday's opening round at Augusta National championship
After the wake of Woods' sex scandal, there are more than a dozen women who have claimed to have sexual affairs with Woods, which have brought apologies to friends, family, supporters and fellow golfers as Woods tries to move past the scandal.
"It is not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here. It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids," Payne said of a four-time Masters winner in unprecedented remarks.
"Is there a way forward? I hope yes. I think yes. But certainly his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change."
"We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner, but this time with a significant difference from the past," Payne said.
"This year, it will not be just for him, but for all of us who believe in second chances."
Woods has won 14 major titles, four shy of matching the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus.
Payne was especially emphatic that Woods avoid selfishness and do all he can to redeem himself in the eyes of his youngest followers, those who might not even comprehend the depths of his wrongdoing in the affairs.
"As he ascended in our rankings of the world's great golfers, he became an example to our kids that success is directly attributable to hard work and effort," Payne said.
"I hope he realizes every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile. I hope he can come to understand life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people."
Woods has said he is spending more time in meditation and returning to the Buddhist religious instruction emphasized by his mother Kultida, who is from Thailand, with hopes of regaining the trust of all supporters.
Payne, who said he had spoken to Woods and that Woods attended the champions dinner on Tuesday, added that he wanted Woods to understand that "life's greatest rewards" come from helping others.
While extra security and other measures were taken into account to prepare for Woods making his return at Augusta National, Payne said the tournament was never concerned about being overshadowed by that comeback.
"We don't look at things that way. We're very secure in who we are," Payne said. "We do things our way. We're not threatened by big news stories, things like that."
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