US Masters Golfers

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Tiger Woods waits on the first green during the final round of The Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2007 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Every year at the beginning of April the world’s top golfers gather at the elite, privately owned Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia to pit their skill and temperament against this most unforgiving course. Not only is the rough allowed to grow particularly long, the Bentgrass on the putting greens has been replaced by a narrower-leafed variety and is cut extremely short to eliminate the grain.

Since the arrival of one of the greatest golfers of all time, Tiger Woods, the organisers have on two occasions lengthened the course in an effort to make it more challenging for the top men. Aptly called ‘Tiger-proofing’, this manipulation of the original and only venue of the Masters has been criticised by many pro golfers and observers, who claim that the shorter hitters of the game are going to be unduly disadvantaged. Nevertheless, Augusta has been lengthened by 520 yards!

Tempestuous Spaniard, Sergio Garcia, has publicly stated that the Masters is his least favourite of all the Majors because of this manipulation of the set-up. It could just be a case of sour grapes, as the young man is yet to don the Green Jacket.

Punters have to be aware of the condition of the course, the form of the players and whether any of the participants have recently changed their coach or equipment. Tiger Woods has had two mini slumps in his career and both were due to him working on changes to his swing. Retief Goosen changed his putter in his debut year on the PGA Tour and putting became one of his added strengths. Even changing caddies can make a difference to the professional golfers’ performance, as Ernie Els has discovered.

We take a look at the current form of the top-ranked US Masters golfers, compare their overall statistics and list their best achievements at the majors. We have also ear-marked a number of up and coming stars who may have a chance at winning the Masters.

Can Irishman Padraig Harrington live up to his reputation as one of the shining stars of the future? Will Colin Montgomerie finally snatch his first Majors win? Will we see an end to the awful slump South African Ernie Els has had to endure since 2004? Will Englishman Justin Rose rise to the occasion?

There is clearly a group of contenders who have the pedigree to bag the Masters, but when all is said and done, they have to overcome the greatest golfer of all time, Tiger Woods, before they can sling the prized green jacket over their shoulders.

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