Augusta Chairman Billy Payne says Woods 'disappointed all of us'

On Wednesday, after rattling off a number of changes to the tournament in his opening remarks, Payne took on the topic that has shadowed the Masters like no other: the return of Tiger Woods.

"We are aware of the significance this week to a very special player," Payne began. "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.

"But as he now says himself, he forgot in the process to remember that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility. 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. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children."

The room was silent as Payne continued.

"Is there a way forward?" he said. "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. I hope he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile."