With the season's first major starting Thursday, it's hard to pin-point who will emerge as the champion. I've come up with 20 golfers who could hoist the trophy on Sunday, but we all know that there is only one favorite -- the rest are just contenders.
The Favorite :
1. Tiger Woods -- Woods will start his quest for Grand Slam on the grasses of Augusta National Golf Club. It has been 11 years since Woods won his first Green Jacket in 1997, but since then he's worn an additional three sport coats. No one will be surprised if Woods is at the top of the leaderboard come Sunday. But what we should be surprised about is the way the rest of the field is opening up the opportunity for Woods to be great. Rest assured that Tiger won't beat himself this weekend, it will take another golfer to topple him. I'm just afraid that there really aren't any contenders up for the challenge.
The Challengers :
2. Phil Mickelson -- It's sometimes hard to remember how amazing Phil Mickelson can play. The shadow that Tiger casts over the rest of golf is huge, but Mickelson could level the conversation by winning his third Masters in five tries.
3. K. J. Choi -- Choi has my full attention going into the first major of the season. His last four events (T7th, T5th, T12th, T11th) put Choi from "contender" to legit challenger. Choi will look to become the first Asian golfer to win a major title.
4. Ernie Els -- Els may be considered the best player never to have worn the Green Jacket, will his time be now?
5. Sergio Garcia -- Google search "best player to have never won a major" and you'll probably get Sergio Garcia's name to pop up in the first few suggestions. If Garcia wants to exchange his orange shirt for a Green Jacket he'll have to tame his putter and play perfectly through four rounds of Amen Corner.
6. Vijay Singh -- Since winning in 2000, Singh hasn't had a significant statement victory on tour. Maybe this will be his time to step back into the limelight.
7. Geoff Ogilvy -- A slow start is all but forgotten with the way Ogilvy has played as of late, look for the momentum to continue as Ogilvy shops for his first Green Jacket.
8. Adam Scott -- Scott could easily be considered in the short list of players who are the best in the game, but haven't captured a major title. Scott pulled out of the Shell Houston Open last weekend to focus his game on the tradition unlike any other -- he should be prepared for a chance at the trophy.
9. Padraig Harrington -- Paddy has already finished third and fourth this season, but he's looking for that victory. Harrington's skills are good enough to win on a major level (hence his British title last year) and his bogey-free Sunday round at the Shell Houston Open will provide him with some momentum.
10. Jim Furyk -- If there is one "big name" that you could avoid, it would be Furyk. But like unlike any tournament, the Masters can draw the best out of the field and an individual. Furyk will look to stay in contention with calm and unrattled play.
11. Justin Rose -- Some experts suggest that a victory at Augusta would be enough to elevate Rose to the same status as Phil and Tiger.
12. Rory Sabbatini -- Rory has been able to make it to the weekend in each event he's played this season. Tiger's biggest threat might just be Sabbatini -- who has threatened Woods in the past both on and off the course.
13. Steve Stricker -- There is no question that Stricker wants to win the Masters and there is no question that he'll be in contention -- Stricker has averaged an eighth place finish in 10 events this season.
14. Zach Johnson -- Johnson hits the ball consistently and straight, which is partially why he's the defending Masters champion.
Outside Shot :
15. Mike Weir -- Just on the brink of being a challenger, the 2003 Masters champion has his sights set on pulling off a major upset.
16. Stewart Cink -- Rule violations left Cink with a bad taste in his mouth after being DQ'd at the Zurich Classic for rule 13-4a. According to the rule, because Cink raked his bunker following the shot he was therefore "testing the conditions" and in violation of PGA legality. It's absurd. Maybe Cink will take out his frustrations on Augusta National.
17. Justin Leonard -- Leonard sneaks his way onto my "outside shot" list for the way he's played this season. But he's left out of the "challengers" section because of his last three events -- Leonard has finished T30, T34th and T39th.
Making A Debut :
18. John Senden -- In Yahoo's fantasy Golf game, Senden ranks second, in the second tier, in average fantasy points scored per tournament just behind Justin Leonard.
19. J.B. Holmes -- Holmes is playing in his first ever Masters thanks to his victory at the FBR Open back in January.
20. Boo Weekley -- Weekley has earned his place in the field this weekend, but he'll have to control his short game if he wants a shot at competing with Tiger.
Others to consider : Woody Austin, Brandt Snedeker, Aaron Baddeley, Daniel Chopra, D.J. Trahan, Stuart Appleby, Luke Donald, Jose Maria Olazabal
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