AUGUSTA – Tiger Woods is known for his ability to block out his surroundings and remain focused on every shot, especially at a major championship. But he had to stop in mid-swing on the 13th tee yesterday when he was spooked by the shadow of flying birds.

“Birds flew right over me and I stopped it somehow,” Woods said of his swing. “Felt like I broke my back, my wrist, my neck, my legs. I don’t know how those baseball players do it with those check swings. It felt like the shaft was going to snap.”

Woods said he was only joking about breaking his body parts.

“I’m fine. I’m not that old yet,” he said.