The Tiger is back in Masters town where illusion and mystery rule | Ewan Murray

The lives of Augusta and Woods are perfectly choreographed - the rest of us guess where the mirage begins and ends

At Amen Corner, you hear the songs without ever seeing the birds. When an 89-year-old Sam Snead cracked a patron on the head with a sliced ceremonial tee shot in 2002, Augusta media outlets were discreet in their coverage.

On testing by a bold journalist in 1996, it was discovered the immaculate blue ponds at Augusta National are produced with the assistance of food dye. Fred Ridley, the club chairman, was asked on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of women being afforded membership by confirming some numbers. No thanks," was the essence of his reply. Illusion everywhere.