Tiger (L) and Mickelson
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Tiger Woods arrives in Georgia as the hottest favourite in years.
Despite seeing his run of seven straight victories ended at Doral last month, Tiger remains the player to beat at Augusta National this week.
Since August of last year, Tiger has won eight of his last ten events, while finishing second and fifth in the other two.
Another victory this Sunday would start him on the road to an unprecedented Grand Slam of Major titles in a single year.
Tiger firmly believes this is possible, largely because he has previously held all four 'big ones' at the same time.
Following wins at the US Open, The Open and PGA Championship in 2000, he claimed a second Masters title in April 2001.
A fifth Green Jacket this week would also earn Tiger his 14th Major crown, leaving him just four adrift of all-time record holder Jack Nicklaus who collected 18 professional majors between 1962 and 1986.
So who can really trouble Tiger this week?
Aaron Baddeley: Showing signs that he is ready to land a maiden major title. He has already sampled Major contention at last year's US Open when he led through 54 holes. But despite a poor final round at Oakmont, the experience will have done him no harm.
Ernie Els: One of the great mysteries of golf is the lack of Green Jackets owned by South African No 1 Ernie Els. The current total stands at nil, although back in the mid-1990s Jack Nicklaus predicted that Els could challenge his own record of six Masters' victories. But due largely to the emergence of Tiger, the Big Easy has failed to secure a single Augusta triumph despite posting six top-10 finishes.
Jim Furyk: Time for the American to secure Major title number two. Despite collecting 12 top-six finishes in major championships, only one has ended in triumph.
Retief Goosen: Tied for second last year and has registered four Augusta top-three finishes this decade. Goosen showed a welcome return to form at Doral recently where he finished in a tie for second.
Phil Mickelson: Is possibly the biggest threat to Tiger's likely coronation on Sunday. Leftie is a two-time Masters winner, together with four other top-three finishes. He also won at Riviera in February of this year.
Sean O'Hair: One of the younger Americans whose talents have shone well during the early part of 2008. Was a winner in Tampa and third at Bay Hill during March. O'Hair is currently inside the top-12 of the FedEx Cup standings.
