Billy Payne has plenty of sympathy for Tiger Woods ahead of the 2016 Masters.
Payne, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, had what he called "very major" back surgery in November and said he doesn't expect to get back on the course until June.
But after getting a look at Woods at Tuesday's traditional champions dinner, Payne was optimistic about Woods' hopes of returning to the PGA Tour in 2016.
MORE: Tiger buzz | Tee times, groupings | Worst Masters chokes | Multiple winners
"Last night [Woods] looked good, he looked better than me," Payne said Wednesday at his annual news conference.