"Primarily, the story at Augusta National is Tiger," said Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports.

ESPN's coverage of the Masters and Woods' return started Thursday. And while the network's coverage didn't start until 1 p.m., it broke away from "SportsCenter" to show Woods' first tee shot at 10:42 a.m.

There was a long Woods update at noon, followed by full coverage of his last nine holes, starting at 1 p.m.

ESPN is locked into a 1 p.m. start time Friday and Woods tees off at 7:35 a.m. So his round will be over before ESPN comes on the air from Augusta National.

"We talked with Augusta about starting our coverage early, but it was a no go," said John Wildhack, executive vice president programming and acquisitions for ESPN. "There is tremendous interest in Tiger, so all his meaningful shots will be shown in some fashion. With Friday's early start, 'SportsCenter' allows us to cut in with his shots.

"Once our coverage starts, we'll have an extensive package of his round."

Both ESPN and CBS recognize that Woods is a huge story.

Said McManus: "This isn't a scoop, but if he's on the leaderboard Saturday and Sunday, our ratings numbers will be big. The interest from the non-golf fan is certainly heightened. So if he's on the leaderboard Sunday, we could do extraordinary numbers.

"We will cover the golf tournament. But Tiger's story is a major factor in this golf tournament."

The fear for CBS is that, after a long layoff, Woods wouldn't make the cut and he would be on his way home before it had a chance to show him. But after Thursday's 4-under-par 68, he would have to fall apart Friday not to make the cut.

Woods, however, isn't the only story at the Masters. Tom Watson -- the feel-good story at the 2009 British Open -- shot a 67 Thursday at Augusta. Phil Mickelson also shot 67 and is always a focal point.

Nick Faldo of CBS, a three-time Masters winner, said to keep an eye on Robert Allenby, Lee Westwood, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and defending champion Angel Cabrera.

Still, there is no escaping Woods.

"Tiger is in a very good place, in a comfortable environment," Faldo said. "It has been five months without a competitive golf shot for him. And Augusta is tough. It has been five months without a competitive putt. He hasn't had to read a green under pressure in five months. What's going on during a tournament can't be practiced.

"His self--esteem has been dented. It'll be interesting to see how he handles all the factors. He'll be critiqued on every shot.

"Still, he has an aura. With all that has gone on, he has to change. Golfers might be on the course five hours. Only an hour of that is actually spent golfing. There is a lot of standing around. What will he be thinking about while he's waiting for someone else to putt?

"That is the most interesting time for me."

If Thursday was any indication, Woods has been forgiven for his transgressions off the course. He was roundly cheered on every tee and every green.

Yes, he's the story of the 2010 Masters.

CBS at the Masters

-- This is CBS' 56th consecutive year covering the Masters. Third-round coverage starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Final-round coverage is set for 11 a.m. Sunday. There is a highlight package at 11:35 p.m. Friday.

-- Jim Nantz, fresh off call the NCAA tournament title game, and Faldo are CBS' lead announcers. Peter Oosterhuis works the 17th hole, Vern Lundquist is on 16, David Feherty on 15, Bill Macatee on 14, Peter Kostis on 13 and Ian Baker-Finch on 11 and 12. Ian Eagle and Matt Gogel work "Amen Corner."

-- Lance Barrow, coordinating producer for CBS golf, said the network's coverage "will be just like normal. It will be what the storylines are. I don't anticipate doing anything different."

-- Just because CBS is carrying the final two rounds, Barrow said it doesn't have any more access to Woods than anyone else. "The only interviews we get is after he's done playing," Barrow said. "We will be greenside and hope to get him as he comes off the course. But there will be nothing more than that."

-- In addition to its live coverage from the Masters, CBS will air a "Jim Nantz Remembers Augusta: The 1977 Masters." The '77 Masters was a final-round showdown between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. "Golf fans are going to love re-visiting the drama of that day," Nantz said. The 60-minute show airs at 10 a.m. Sunday.

ESPN at the Masters

-- ESPN's second-round coverage starts at 1 p.m. Friday. Mike Tirico and Curtis Strange are the lead announcers. But CBS will produce the ESPN coverage, so you will hear the CBS announcers on ESPN's coverage. ESPN will have an encore of the second round at 5 p.m. Friday. Strange said to look for Els and Jim Furyk to play well, "and you can never overlook Mickelson," he said.

-- Tirico, recognizing Woods' impact on the coverage this year said, "For the other 95 players in the field, this is the easiest Masters of all. They define 'under the radar.'"

-- Asked why Woods' return is a big deal, Tirico said "because he's the best golfer since Jack Nicklaus."

-- Wildhack was asked if ESPN will address Woods' off-course problems. "Unless you've been under a rock, you know what has been going on with Tiger," Wildhack said. "So to go over that would be counterproductive. We won't insult the audience. So we will cover the golf tournament. The Masters is a story of individual players. Tiger is a story. But not the only one."

The Masters in 3D

This might be a little exclusive, but Timer Warner Cable customers will be able to see Masters highlights in 3D On Demand.

TW customers must have 3D televisions and a Time Warner Cable HD box with HDMI output in order to view the daily highlights.

The highlights will be available until April 30.