KEY POINTS:
There's something about the era of a champion that makes compelling viewing - even when you know the result (or think you do) of a major golf tournament before it starts.
Tiger Woods starts Friday's Masters tournament as a prohibitive favourite ($2.10 to win on the TAB -
a prohibitive price as golf is notoriously difficult to pick) and there was a moment in his last triumph, at the WGC-CA championship last week, which underlines just how difficult Woods will be to beat in his quest for a fifth green jacket.
At the last hole at the WGC-CA, a tough hole guarded by nasty water hazards on the Doral golf course, Woods was three shots ahead of his nearest challenger, Brett Wetterich. Woods chose to play conservatively, hitting a three iron off the tee and laying up with his second shot.
"I make five," said Woods later, meaning the worst he could do was a bogey-five and the loss of a stroke, "and he can't win the tournament."
But this immaculate planning and course management came adrift when Woods made a rare error and hit a wedge 52 feet past the hole and into a slippery zone where Mark Calcavecchia had faced much the same tricky putt - and putted off the green and into the lake.
Wetterich slammed a magnificent second shot within eight feet of the hole. He was up for a three. Heart rates rose, palms moistened, anticipation rose. It was clearly possible for Woods to make a six at this hole and then face a play-off, during which anything could happen.
Was this the moment when the mighty Woods showed that he too could be turned over by the fickle gods of golf, same as everyone else? Well, no.
Woods doesn't do disaster. He calmly putted nicely within reach from his slippery position and strode off with the US$1.35 million winner's cheque in his pocket.
It called to mind the moment in 1986 when another great champion, Jack Nicklaus (the only man, with six, to win more Masters titles than Woods), was playing a practice round at Augusta - the year of his last title. A young golfer, Phil Blackmar, was playing alongside him and had a similarly awkward putt to the one Woods had at Doral. Hit too cautiously and the ball would trickle to a halt, leaving a touchy second putt. Go even a fraction too hard, and the ball would whistle past the hole.
A friend asked Blackmar, then a cocky young golfer, what he'd do if the putt he had was to win the Masters. "I'd bomb it right in there," said the confident young Blackmar.
Nicklaus pricked up his ears. "What did you say?"
Blackmar coloured as the great Nicklaus took an interest in this strategy and hesitated even more as he realised that an eavesdropping gallery was hanging on every word. Blackmar repeated his theory and then gulped when Nicklaus said: "Show me."
"I was a little nervous," recalled Blackmar, now a commentator on US television, "but I hit it firm, pulled it just a hair and it spun around the cup and went about 6 feet by.
"The fans let out this big sigh. Then Jack tries it. He goes into his crouch and barely touches it. It trickles... and trickles... and trickles... and falls in. And the crowd goes nuts. And I'm just beet-red."
Blackmar made the cut in his Masters debut, finishing 45th. Nicklaus, who became so interested in the "putt to win the Masters", went on to win the last of his six titles.
That is the stuff of which champions are made and it is indisputable that Woods has it as well. His pursuit of Nicklaus' record is a part of his driving force - even though he has already set records Nicklaus didn't.
In 2000, Woods became the first golfer to win nine tournaments in a season since Sam Snead in 1950. Even Nicklaus didn't manage that although both are among only five golfers (the others are Gene Sarazen, Gary Player and Ben Hogan) to win all four majors.
Woods also has the record score at the Masters (1997), the US Open (2000), the British Open (2000) and the PGA (2000). He has 56 career wins already - only Arnold Palmer (62), Hogan (64), Nicklaus (73) and Snead (82) have more and there is little doubt Woods wants to beat those figures. In majors, he has 12 titles to Nicklaus' 18. There is no record in the game that Woods wants to beat more.
So, with all this, it seems almost pointless trying to discuss who might win this tournament if Woods - whose confidence took a boost and whose swing seemed rock-solid at the WGC-CA - doesn't.
SOME WHO MAY SURPRISE
Phil Mickelson (US)
Has won the Masters twice in the past three years, can't be called a surprise and has apparently been hitting 65s and the like in practice - in spite of some ordinary lead-up form. But there are others, if Tiger has a troublesome time, who could move into calculations.
Vijay Singh (Fiji)
One of the hottest golfers around at the moment, Singh is just heading Woods on the world money list and has already won two PGA tournaments in 10 starts this year. If his putter is working, he'll be a threat.
Ernie Els (South Africa)
Perhaps the darkest horse, if a member of golf's 'big five' can be called such. Now stroking the ball well after injury and swing problems. Hasn't done much yet but may be poised to perform here.
Charles Howell III (US)
Has promised much in past years only to disappoint severely. A native of Augusta - a fact which has done him little good previously - Howell has sparked to life. Pencil-thin but hits the ball a long way and seems to have sorted out short game problems. In nine events this season, he has won one, finished second in two and top 25 in the others.
Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
The big-hitting Swede has turned heads in his few outings in the US, confirming thoughts that his power game will suit American courses. Augusta demands more than power (although it is helpful on a course they have tried to Tiger-proof) and this may be a step too high just yet.
Sergio Garcia (Spain)
Another to promise much and with abundant talent but a major has always eluded him. After a long period of difficulty with his swing, has become much more solid this year. Needs his putter to hold up and will need to withstand the psychologicalpressure well.
Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)
A member of a strong Australian contingent - respect Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Adam Scott and even Aaron Baddeley - but Ogilvy's game and temperament may be best suited to Augusta. Remembered mostly for his US Open win by default after Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie melted down - but he is a much better golfer than most people give him credit for.
