All Tiger Woods has to say is, “I feel I can win” and the American media, plus the Tiger faithful, fall over each other in support.
Why?
At 43, he hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open, nor a Masters since 2005, yet he’s still portrayed as the greatest golfer of all time.
That’s not right either.
Woods has won 14 majors with seven seconds, way, way behind Jack Nicklaus’ benchmark of 18 majors with 19 seconds.
Woods’ main competition in his formative years came from Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson, while Nicklaus had to overcome legends Arnie Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Billy Casper and Johnny Miller to climb to the top.
Woods will tee off in the first two rounds with Jon Rahm and Haotong Li, with half the 87-strong field capable of stitching up the former world number one, now ranked 12.
Tiger Woods isn’t going to be at the supposed World Cup of Golf. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Strangely, not one of the current world’s top 11 have won at Augusta – Justin Rose (1), Dustin Johnson (2), Rory McIlroy (3), Brooks Koepka (4), Justin Thomas (5), Bryson DeChambeau (6), Francesco Molinari (7), Rahm (8), Rickie Fowler (9), Xander Schauffele (10) and Paul Casey (11).
There’s far more chance of one of them emulating the last four Masters champions Jordan Spieth (2015), Danny Willett (2016), Sergio Garcia (2017) and Patrick Reed last year as first-time green jacket wearers.
Only four Australians are in the field – Jason Day (14), Marc Leishman (20), Cameron Smith (28) and Adam Scott (29).
Day has been drawn in a marquee group with Dustin Johnson and DeChambeau, Leishman has Charley Hoffman and Louis Oosthuizen, Smith has drawn well with McIlroy and Fowler while Scott has Hideki Matsuyama and Kyle Stanley.
But Augusta hasn’t looked too kindly on Aussies with Scott the only champion in 82 tournaments, beating Angel Cabrera in the 2013 playoff.
Scott also finished second with Day to South African Charl Schwartzel in 2011, while Bruce Crampton was runner up to Nicklaus in 1972, likewise Jack Newton to Seve Ballesteros in 1980.
Greg Norman holds the unwanted record of three times second in 1986 to Nicklaus, 1987 to Larry Mize in a playoff when the American sunk a 140-foot miracle chip from off the green and the infamous 1996 meltdown.
Norman led playing partner Nick Faldo by six shots going into the final round – Faldo shot 67, Norman 78 to win by five, yet Norman still finished second, a shot ahead of Phil Mickelson.
So who will win this 83rd edition?
Both McIlroy and Spieth need the green jacket to join the five who have won all four majors in their careers – Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Player, Nicklaus and Woods.
McIlroy is the form golfer with the bookies at $7, Dustin Johnson is at $10 and Rose at $12, with Tigermania driving Woods at $14.
The smokey is Molinari at $20.
Enjoy, it’s the best major on the best course, with Fox and Nine covering live.
An “unshakeable” Scottie Scheffler has claimed his second Masters green jacket in three years, carding a four-under-par 68 to finish four shots clear of…
A day after setting a tournament record in the Masters, Tiger Woods has suffered an unwanted milestone at Augusta National. Woods insisted he could…
Tiger Woods is on the prowl for a sixth green jacket after penning another glorious chapter in his storied career with a record-breaking 24th…
Bryson DeChambeau has laid some demons to rest with a stunning back-nine birdie barrage to seize the first-round lead at the weather-hit Masters. The…
A year after being persona non grata at Augusta National, Australian golf legend Greg Norman is back at the Masters, declaring "the boss is…
Australian golf star Min Woo Lee has revealed he will play the Masters with a broken finger after suffering the freak injury in the…
