History tells us that Americans usually fare better at Augusta... All eyes will be on Tiger Woods. In reality, the world number 1 could be more vulnerable than ever. It would be a great story, but I don't expect Tiger to be on his game. Everything around him will be a circus and just being in the hunt will be a good result considering it's his first time out.

The European challenge has never been stronger.

Westwood
Harrington
Casey
Poulter

The Stars and Stripes would be the "traditional" way to go.

Mickelson
Stricker
Woods
Furyk

The World contingent is also stronger than usual.

Els
Villegas
Allenby
Singh

Will certainly be an interesting one, but one glaring omission there for my money.

You must be thinking about the GOOSE

Causeway Bay HK... What are you joking Pincher? I just did a double take... Thought I saw my own address suddenly posted on there. I don't live there but we keep an apartment next to Times Square

rory mcilroy

That's the one - coming into a bit of form at the moment and he likes Augusta.

Staying at a friend's on Caroline Hill Road this week.

I think the best 'rookie' market should be very interesting this year (when they eventually price it up) as there are some notable names having a first crack at Augusta this year. Marino, Gay, Wood, Dyson, Manassero & 3 more Amateurs, Molinari F, Haas B, Dufner, Ikeda, Na, Leishman, Sim & I believe a certain Charl Schwartzel has just received his first invite.

Interestingly, American amateur Brad Benjamin swings left handed & putts right handed don't think anyone's done that before.

Notah Begay was legendary back in the day for his "dual" putting... Where he would putt lefty or righty depending on which way the break was.

Harrington is an interesting shout.

Interview of Tiger on Espn.com

The Man says he's stronger than ever... But in this interview, you can see a vulnerable Tiger. Not the one who used to win tournaments. But a man looking for hugs and warm embraces.

Reading into his current mood, he has no chance of contending at Augusta. I hate to say this, but he may not be the same for awhile.

Without his life being at peace... I cant see more than a top 10 finish. The idea of instantly "turning it on" doesn't work in golf. You cant just walk into the Masters and win the thing. Too many hot players out there who have been waiting for this moment to shine.

Look who's emerged out the the woodwork in recent weeks. All the old guys have new confidence. Vijay Singh. Allenby. Els. Furyk. (that's the kind of leaderboard I saw back in High School prior to Tiger turning pro)

The way things are going, maybe even Sergio Garcia will return to form

I love the guy but might start my Golf Teams without the world number one.

I tend to agree, although it seems 13% of Fantasy League Golf entrants currently disagree...

Unsurprisingly, Furyk's popularity has been on the surge since Thursday...

http://golf.fantasyleague.com/Stat/Play ... Guide.aspx

Tough to budget a good squad of Europeans this year...

Also hard to choose an "American" squad for the Masters, ignoring all the ROW and EURO quality.

Here's the BIG question in assembling my teams...

After picking 5 solid guys for Augusta...

Do I want the 6th man to be Goosen/Watney? or do I downgrade to say Steve Flesch...

Which would bring 3 players from the 0.5 range into something more decent...

IE

Goosen + 3 pants players

or

Flesch + 3 average players (maybe even 4)

Is it better to use an enabler for the Masters? Or go for it all by having 6 players in the 0.5 price range.

Why all the talk about Manassero?

You guys make him sound like the 2nd coming of El Nino

I'll be very surprised if Manassero doesn't achieve more in his career than Garcia. We shouldn't expect too much from him this year (after all - he's only 16!) , but I personally believe that he'll be rivalling the likes of McIlroy and Kaymer on the European Tour in a few years time...

Heaven or Els

and Goosen should be on every single team now

You would think so. But then we get caught out every year. I'm off to petition Mr. Green to include Sandy Lyle on the player list

Watched him last summer winning the English Amateur having not long turned 16. He was VERY impressive! Clip (without sound) below:



Did you notice how windy it was?

He then finished 13th in his first Open, after partnering Tom Watson and Sergio Garcia in the first two rounds

Without doubt a man/boy for the big occasion.

I agree with Mr Green.

I reckon the smart money already has him at 250/1 e/w for The Open

Good swing, but I think his wrists broke on a couple of those putts

Time for Kdub to get serious

One week until the Masters

Time to start my attempt to go ONE better than TLove last season

This John Coleman fellow isn't messing around

What happened to 50 team Jon Sparrow

Tiger will have MORE SUPPORT from the gallery than ever before... You heard it here first. Everybody loves the guy. Period.

As Goosen pointed out, "he's not the bad guy... He's still 99% the GOOD guy."
(one of my favorite quotes of the year)

Speaking of multi-entrants, one entrant has entered 32 teams (so far!), whilst another has entered 26...

Only time will tell if they manage to recoup their entry fees in prize winnings.

Don't worry kdub - here I am! Your memory is obviously lacking though as I think I only had 30 teams - already out done by someone 32 this year!

Not sure I'll enter as many this year though with the head to head gone my almost certain money back has gone.

We'll see though - maybe I'll get carried away and enter 100 this year!

As for Mr Greens comments about the money - I night be a multi and although it's nice not to make a loss, I don't play for the money. I just enjoy the taking part!

That's always nice to hear (especially from a multi-entrant).

Didn't notice this until BigJ pointed this out.

Seriously considering abondoning my plans for a third team.

I've got a few wildcard picks that could surprise, but it's hard to fit them into a team of 6 players with the current caliber of stars

Schwartzel 70-1
Fisher 80-1
Allenby 80-1
Watney 70-1
Quality K 50-1
and one guy that I'm sealed on @ 100-1

Dark horses for the most part, but tough to leave out of my teams.

Done a little "research"

Augusta breeds the usual suspects year after year

It's a separate type of golf tournament in itself... Where certain world class players never do well (Allenby, Garcia, and others who struggle on the greens)

While certain no name players always flourish (Tlove knows who they are)

Strange event... But it's like ignoring all the current big guns to go with "tradition"

Justin Leonard is lighting it up in Houston.

-7 after 8 holes

It always works... Leonard ends his hopes of a 29 on the front.

First bogey of the day on the 9th hole

Some of the % of players owned on the OFL site are startling

There is one glaring figure or two that don't seem like they could be accurate