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 Former world number one Rory McIlroy has predicted that 70
players in the field of 97 are capable of clinching the coveted
green jacket with multiple champion Woods out after having surgery
to repair a pinched nerve in his back.
Three-times champion Phil Mickelson feels that figure will depend on
course conditions.
"The greens are getting back to what I call Masters speed,"
Mickelson told reporters at a sun-splashed Augusta National while
preparing for Thursday's opening round.
"If that's the case, if the course plays firm and fast, I think
you're looking at less than a dozen (players). But if it doesn't, I
think you're looking at almost half the field."
Mickelson, a perennial contender at Augusta National, faced injury
concerns of his own after withdrawing from last month's Texas Open
with a pulled abdominal muscle, but he has fully recovered after
doing extensive physiotherapy work.
"Physically, I feel great," said the 43-year-old American, who will
be seeking a sixth major title. "This is my favorite week, and the
course is in spectacular condition, as always.
"I just love everything about this tournament. This course has
always been a course that I felt comfortable on and I've played some
of my best golf here."
Whether or not Mickelson is a significant factor over the next four
days, the possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to
likely winners of the 78th Masters.
EXTRAORDINARY DEPTH
The last seven editions have produced seven different champions and
golf's extraordinary depth of talent has been showcased on the
2013-14 PGA Tour where there have been 18 different winners from the
21 tournaments so far completed.
Though Masters debutants have generally struggled on the heavily
contoured greens at Augusta National, with only three first-timers
clinching the title since the tournament was launched in 1934,
McIlroy believes that is no longer the case.
"There's so many guys here this week who will feel like they have a
chance to win," said the 24-year-old Northern Irishman, a double
major champion. "I would say 70.
"You've got guys who are coming here for the first time, like
Patrick Reed or Jordan Spieth who I'm playing with in the first two
rounds, and they are going to stand on the first tee and think,
'I've got a great shot at winning this tournament.'"
Reed has triumphed three times on the PGA Tour since last August
while fellow American Spieth was named the U.S. circuit's 2013
rookie of the year after a remarkable debut season that included a
maiden victory at the John Deere Classic.
The list of potential champions is a long one, as demonstrated by
the 'unlikely' Masters victories of Canada's Mike Weir in 2003,
American Zach Johnson in 2007 and South African Trevor Immelman in
2008.
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Back-to-back Masters wins have been rare with only three players
accomplishing the feat. Jack Nicklaus was the first in 1966, and he
was followed by Nick Faldo in 1990 and Woods in 2002.
Defending champion Adam Scott of Australia will have a good
opportunity to add his name to that illustrious company, having
climbed to number two in the world rankings with a superb run of
form late last year.
He clinched his 10th PGA Tour title at The Barclays in August before
ending his season by winning the Australian PGA and Australian
Masters, partnering Jason Day to land the World Cup team event and
finishing second at the Australian Open.
TITLE FAVORITES
Though Scott has not triumphed since, he has recorded three top-10s
in his last five PGA Tour starts and will tee off among the title
favorites.
"I've performed extremely consistently (at the majors) in the last
couple of years," said the 33-year-old Australian. "Realistically
I've given myself two or three chances to win and won one of them.
"I'm happy with that because the trend is going in the right
direction and I've just got to keep that going, strike while the
iron is hot and keep creating these chances.
"I'm playing really well. I really like the last couple week's work
I've done," added Scott, who became the first Australian to win the
Masters by edging out Argentina's Angel Cabrera in a thrilling
playoff.
McIlroy will be eager to atone for his nightmarish final-round
meltdown three years ago when he squandered a four-shot overnight
lead with a closing 80.
The Northern Irishman will also be champing at the bit to prove that
his struggles on and off the course for much of his 2013 campaign
are now behind him, and his form so far this year has been
encouraging.
"I have no ill feelings towards 2011," said McIlroy. "I thought it
was a very important day in my career. It was a big learning curve
for me.
"My preparations have been good. I'm excited to be back here. It's
probably the most anticipated week of the year."
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; editing by Gene Cherry)
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