Mark Calcavecchia's wife Brenda has the unique distinction of having played Augusta National, but having never been to a Masters tournament.

In 2001, Calcavecchia and Brenda played the course as guests, and although Brenda had some initial dif"culties when she putted her ball 25 yards down the fairway from the back of the "rst green, she soon got the hang of things. Playing mostly off the members' tees as Augusta has no ladies' tees . . . funny that . . . she shot 43 for the back nine by parring or bogeying every hole. "She was really excited, " said Calcavecchia, who has never been a fan of the Masters. He is quali"ed for the 70th Masters, but before this week, he had yet to play a practice round. "I haven't had the time, or the opportunity, or anybody's private jet I could borrow, " he reasoned.

CLARKE'S REFRESHING PERSPECTIVE Often criticised for being too intense, Darren Clarke has gone in the other direction this time by relaxing before the Masters.

While some of the main contenders have been engaged at the BellSouth Classic, Clarke has been taking a few days R&R on Grand Abaco in the Bahamas. After some saltwater fly-fishing in pursuit of bonefish, as well as "a few beers", he won't sign in at the Masters until Tuesday. "Augusta is tough enough, and it'll be just as tough when I get there, " he says.

YOU CAN'T BLAME A MAN FOR ASKING There was a glimpse of Tiger Woods's private life during an intimate . . . by his standards . . .

television portrait as part of CBS's 60 Minutes last weekend. After interviewing his mother Kultida Woods at her home, the producer and his team were given permission to look around the house with a "rm request that the camera be turned off.

Among the many family photographs the producer found was one of Woods asleep on his bed clutching his green jacket taken just hours after he had won his "rst Masters in 1997. He immediately asked Kultida if he could take a shot of the photograph only to be told that he would have a better chance of winning the Masters.

Or words to that effect.