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“When Woods returns from his hiatus, he might find himself facing something he's never faced before -- hostile crowds."  (ESPN)

Tiger Woods has announced he's returning to golf at one of its most revered stages:  The Masters Tournament.  But friends and foes alike are lining up to point out, there's a reason why Tiger has chosen this stage and this time.  

The Masters represents the place where Tiger Woods won his first major.  ESPN analyst Mike Tirico says, the Masters is Tiger's choice for more reasons than that.

"It is the most pristine environment that a golf tournament with the best players in the world is held.  It is not overrun with fans at all."

And that's important because many are speculating Woods might not receive a warm welcome in all quarters. ESPN's TJ Quinn says the Masters and PGA officials will be on guard to protect golf's biggest name from any potentially abusive fans. 

"But tour golfers, fans, and officials say they expect Woods to face some heckling when he steps back on to a course. 

We're going to have to have eyes and ears open to protect not only him but the integrity of our sport."

But the Augusta Chronicle says that protection is less about Woods or the game's integrity, than it is about the Masters’ integrity.

"Because the game’s most storied and tradition-bound tournament demands it. No one will throw a protective blanket around this gentleman’s game more quickly and completely than the folks at the Masters.”

And Sports Illustrated's Damon Hack tells CNN Woods might be sacrificing preparation to get that protective blanket.

"...competitively, it might not be such a great fit for him.  He hasn't had any tune-up events before this tournament.  He'll be coming in cold, coming in rusty. ... So he's kind of sacrificing his competitive readiness for a quieter atmosphere at Augusta National."

So how will Tiger do in the Masters tournament?