(Editor's Note: Diarist jamie24 takes a look at the top contenders for the Masters. Remember, you can add your own posts to Waggle Room, too. Just create an account to get started blogging at Waggle Room.)

preview to the masters

history

in 1930, bobby jones reached the pinnacle of golf... the grand slam. he was an amateur, so his majors consisted of the british and us amateurs and opens. at the time it was dubbed the impregnable quadrilateral. he duely retired at the age of 28 to follow a career in law. he always had a dream in his mind's eye to create the *perfect* golf course. jones searched high and low for the right piece of land on which to build his masterpiece, but the second he laid eye's upon an old flower nursery in augusta georgia, with rae's creek twisting through the pines and azaleas, he knew he'd found his place. together with the legendary golf course architecht dr alister mackenzie, they designed what has become one of the truly great golf courses in the world.

the first tournament was held in 1934 and was known as the augusta national invitational tournament' and was won by horton smith. at this time, the tournament wasn't a major as it is today. but one shot the following year catapulted the tournament to the forefront of the public's eye. gene sarazen, trailing on the back 9 on sunday, hit *the shot that was heard around the world*... a 4-wood straight into the cup for an albatross 2. he went on to win in a play-off. since then, the tournament has gone from strength to strength, with the list of winners, reading like a whos who of golf. sarazen, nelson, snead, hogan, palmer (4 time winner), player, nicklaus (6 time winner - a record), watson, ballesteros, faldo, woods (4 wins and counting!) masters week has not only become one of the greatest weeks in golf, but in the whole of sport

contenders

unlike most golf tournaments, entry to the masters is by invitation only, as the committee try to keep the field select. whereas it's not uncommon for 150+ to tee it up in other events, only 97 players will be participating this week. here's a list of the 10 guys who i think have the best shot at winning.

tiger woods

the clear favourite with 9 wins in his last 11 starts on the us tour, and 4 previous wins at augusta, including the all time scoring record of 270. the bookmakers know what they are talking about, and he's priced anywhere from even money to 6/4, which is ridiculously short for a golfer in a major... but shows how good the guy is. on current form, i can't see him losing unless he really has an off week. tiger has it all, hits it a mile, best iron player in history, superb short game and the best putter on tour, plus the strongest mentally. i hope a couple of the other guys stand up this week and give him a good run for his money and make it exciting.

phil mickelson

the winner in 2004 and 2006. his idea last year to play with 2 drivers (one to put the ball in play, and another to really crank it up when he needed a big one) was inspired. this guy has such a great short game it verges on artistic. for years he had that monkey on his back about being 'the best player to have never won a major', but now he's freed himself of that tag, he seems a threat in every major he tees it up in. he's in decent form as well, with a win already this year at pebble beach, and a 2nd place at the nissan open. expect him to be there or there abouts on sunday.

jim furyk

surprisingly long odds for the world number 2. currently available on the exchanges at 42/1. he hasn't got a great record at augusta, but the guy has got game, and is one hell of a tough competitor. he's not scared to go toe to toe with anyone down the stretch on sunday. so looking at the betting, he could well be the value. also a previous major winner at the 2003 us open

vijay singh

im not his number 1 fan by any means, but you have to take your hat of to the fijian. the guy knows how to win golf tournaments. his win the other week at bay hill was his 31st win on the us tour, which i believe is a record for a non-american. singh is a previous masters winner from 2000, and a multiple major winner, with 3 in total, so if he gets in a winning position, he knows where the finishing line is. tee to green he's as good as anyone, but his putting has been slightly suspect in recent years, which can be a real problem with the undulations at augusta. but if vijay can get the short stick working, he's got a great chance.

sergio garcia

i find it staggering that a guy of his ability has still to break his major duck. he's had chances, and many high finishes, but never won one of the big 4. i think as a pure ball striker, he could well be the best in the world (or at least 2nd to tiger). great touch around the greens. the problem... the bloke can't putt for shit. he knows it, everyone knows it, and now its become mental. you can see the lack of confidence when he strikes the putt. i like sergio a lot... he brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the game. i'll be one guy cheering if he pulls on the green jacket on sunday night.

geoff ogilvy

in the last 2 years, this guy has moved from a good player to one of the best in the world. he oozes talent. absolutely bombs it off the tee. when he won the world golf championship match play event last year, i think it made him realise how good he actually is, then he followed that up with a win at the us open to move into the major league. his current form is good too, with a 2nd and 3rd place finish in the 2 world golf championship events so far this year.

charles howell III

a man in form. a win and 2 2nds on tour this year. he finally realising the potential many saw in him a few years back. almost the stereotypical modern golfer. tall, long limbs, strong, big wide arc... hits it so far. he's never seriously contended in majors, so would be interesting to see how he handles the pressure if he's in the mix come sunday. betting wise, could be some value at 50/1.

adam scott

i put him in a similar category to ogilvy and howell. young, big hitter, talented. but has always disappointed at the majors. his record is abysmal. i think he lacks a bit of the killer instinct needed to win majors. he has the same coach tiger used to have, and therefore a similar swing... its a thing of beauty. sure its only a matter of time before he breaks through at the highest level.

henrik stenson

the inform european. became a regular winner on the european tour over the last few years, then stepped it up a notch with a win at the world golf championship matchplay earlier in the year. he always looks uber cool on the course, and i don't reckon nerves would prevent him winning one of the big ones. i would say him and sergio are europe's best chances... no european has won a major sine the 1999 open!

ernie els

i was unsure who to put as my last choice, and have gone for the big south african. he's got major pedigree (2 us opens and 1 open to his credit) and all the ability in the world. his swing is so easy on the eye, and at times he makes the game look stupidly easy. he hasn't been at his best for the last 18 months or so, but had a decent finish at the nissan a few weeks back, and one little swing thought on the range could bring it all back to him. i'd never rule him out.

so there's my top 10. life being life, the winner is sure to come from elsewhere now ive written all that. i'll be rooting for the englishmen casey and donald... both have a decent chance. any comments as to my choices, and who you think might win would be greatly appreciated. enjoy the tournament!