Quick 18: Woods' return, Taylor's disappointment

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Vaughn Taylor came within an eyelash of making it back to Augusta National.

Editor's note: PGATOUR.COM's Melanie Hauser will be shaking out the mental lint and pulling together the "Quick 18" on Mondays this year.

Got a comment or question for Melanie? Click here to e-mail her.

1. Just like everyone else, we're awaiting this afternoon's press conference, wondering how intrusive the wave of non-credentialed media will be around the gates of Augusta National and, well, just what Tiger Woods will say. Quick 18 has a seat in the room and will be paying attention not so much to what he says, but rather how he interacts with the reporters who have covered him his entire career.

2. Players on the range and in the clubhouse welcomed Tiger back with smiles, handshakes and hugs Sunday. Players like Steve Stricker -- "It was great to see him" -- are just ready to see him tee it up. On the flip side, onlookers and pundits are dissecting everything from his shades to his goatee to the way he carried himself. Hmmm.

3. Don't know about you, but getting tired of all the talking heads weighing in on what he might say, what he might do, what he has to do, what his state of mind will be, yada yada. Hard to turn on the TV without a mention of the comeback. Heck, even Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens confessed he missed Tiger. Yes, it will overshadow everything for a few days -- at least. But hasn't it since he announced he was playing?

4. Thinking he can't win a fifth Green Jacket after all this? Think again. No one is better at focusing on playing the golf course and getting immersed in his round. Everyone else plays him. He plays the course. If nothing else, don't be surprised if he's in the top five.

5. As long as we're talking favorites, Quick 18 is seriously impressed with Lee Westwood's calm confidence. The guy is playing great and is as at ease with himself and his game as he has been in a long while.

6. From @geoffogilvy in Augusta on Sunday: Weather is perfect here, if you can see past the pollen.

7. Brad Faxon is having a bit of an identity crisis. The latest player to test the television waters -- he's really good by the way -- has to remember if he's dressing for TV or for the course. And what credential to wear -- his players' badge or one from NBC. Last week at Houston, he was playing, so it was golf shirts and a player badge. "Players are wondering if I should be in player dining this week or not,'' he laughed. Media, in case you're wondering, isn't allowed in player dining.

8. What was going through Vaughn Taylor's mind in the playoff? What do you think? He grew up in Augusta, his parents and grandmother still live there. And he was one shot away from being the last player in the field. He admitted he needed a few more minutes to clear his mind... but didn't have it. He will next time. "I'm excited, but, you know, hugely disappointed,'' he said. "So it's a tough pill to swallow.'' Don't bet against him winning and making the 2011 Masters. That birdie putt he made at 18 to get into the playoff wasn't easy. He had to play the wind to get it to fall.

9. In case you're wondering, the last three playoffs at the Shell Houston Open -- all at Redstone -- were won by the last player to finish in regulation.

10. In case you missed it, Woods won Sunday. Cheyenne Woods, that is. Tiger's niece. The sophomore at Wake Forest won her first college tournament -- the Bryan National Collegiate -- beating Tennessee sophomore Nathalie Mansson by two shots.

11. Adam Scott is working his way back toward the top 10, but he's still a bit frustrated. He was candid after finishing with a bogey Sunday afternoon and finishing in a tie for 14th. "I'm giving away shots every week,'' Scott said.

12. Budding golf reporters, take heed from @OliverWilson: "Only irritating thing is being interviewed & the cameraman & interviewer start packing up & looking away whilst I'm in middle of the answer."

13. The @bovanpelt tweets of the week? "Found out I am not the only pro athlete in the house - 7 yr old scored 2 goals and looked at my wife and said "it's payday-u owe me 2dollars.'' The follow-up: "My wife pumped him up more with this "u made more money than your dad this week!!!". Sometimes the truth hurts!! Yes, Van Pelt missed the cut at Houston.

14. Here's one for the stat box -- Freddie Couples is 77-under on the Champions Tour. Just saying.

15. One of the best April Fools' tweets? Ian Poulter, who said that he might be in trouble after cutting his finger with a knife and attached a picture. A little while later, he tweeted that it was, indeed, a joke. Ketchup is an amazing thing. Quick 18 knew before the second tweet. Way too easy.

16. And while we're on that subject... The Fort Worth Star-Telegram did an April Fools back page on sports news -- everything from Jerry Jones building yet-a-newer stadium to Tiger committing to play in the Crowne Plaza Invitational. The latter, folks took seriously. Colonial started getting calls and less-than-amused tournament officials had to put a note on the tournament Web site to debunk the joke. So no, he hasn't committed to the Crowne Plaza Invitational. We'll know the Friday before the tournament.

17. Dr. J's golf course -- Celebrity Golf Club International in Tucker, Ga. is in foreclosure. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Julius Erving's attorney Dorna Taylor said the business couldn't support the expenses. Taylor said Erving didn't know the previous owner's mortgage was in default and not worth the $11 million loan he assumed.

18. News you don't need to know, but, hey, it's fun. The most expensive golf cart going will set you back more than the base-model Porsche Cayenne. That's of course, with options like a built-in fridge, luxury touches and hydraulic brakes. It'll set you back about $52,000. Yikes.

Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.