Adam Scott ended his long wait for a major title when he captured the 2013 Masters in a dramatic playoff against Angel Cabrera, but could the Australian become only the fifth golfer to retain the coveted crown? The 33-year-old is the highest ranked player in the field, after all.
Great Scott mark II? —
Adam Scott ended his long wait for a major title when he captured the 2013 Masters in a dramatic playoff against Angel Cabrera, but could the Australian become only the fifth golfer to retain the coveted crown? The 33-year-old is the highest ranked player in the field, after all.
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With an injured Tiger Woods missing the Masters for the first time in his career, an extra slice of homegrown fervor will focus on another all-American favorite -- Phil Mickelson. "Lefty" has three green jackets to his name and, after shaking off recent injury concerns, says he feels "great" heading to Augusta.
The Mickelson mantle —
With an injured Tiger Woods missing the Masters for the first time in his career, an extra slice of homegrown fervor will focus on another all-American favorite -- Phil Mickelson. "Lefty" has three green jackets to his name and, after shaking off recent injury concerns, says he feels "great" heading to Augusta.
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Mickelson also has recent major success to draw on, winning the British Open for the first time in his career last July. Clocking in at 43 when he won at Muirfield, he also demonstrated how wide the age spectrum of potential winners can be. There were 21 years between Mickelson and Rory McIlroy when the Northern Irishman won the 2012 U.S. Open.
Mickelson's 'greatest day' —
Mickelson also has recent major success to draw on, winning the British Open for the first time in his career last July. Clocking in at 43 when he won at Muirfield, he also demonstrated how wide the age spectrum of potential winners can be. There were 21 years between Mickelson and Rory McIlroy when the Northern Irishman won the 2012 U.S. Open.
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It is one of the most memorable major meltdowns of recent times. Rory McIlroy blew a four-shot lead at Augusta in 2011 and the sports-loving public were united in sympathy. The sight of McIlroy looking for his ball near VIP cabins 50 yards right of 10th fairway were a signpost of how he fell apart. He would love nothing more than to banish those memories by bagging his first green jacket.
McIlroy's redemption? —
It is one of the most memorable major meltdowns of recent times. Rory McIlroy blew a four-shot lead at Augusta in 2011 and the sports-loving public were united in sympathy. The sight of McIlroy looking for his ball near VIP cabins 50 yards right of 10th fairway were a signpost of how he fell apart. He would love nothing more than to banish those memories by bagging his first green jacket.
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It didn't take McIlroy long to get over his Masters misery -- winning the very next major on offer. Aged just 22, he became the youngest U.S. Open champion since 1923, and he also added the U.S. PGA Championship in 2012.
Bouncebackability —
It didn't take McIlroy long to get over his Masters misery -- winning the very next major on offer. Aged just 22, he became the youngest U.S. Open champion since 1923, and he also added the U.S. PGA Championship in 2012.
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The sight of China's Guan Tianlang striding the famous fairways of Augusta at the tender age of 14 -- winning the low amateur prize in the process -- caused quite a stir. The child prodigy represents a burgeoning talent pool in Asia, so could 2014 be the year someone from that region finally wins the Masters?
Teenage kicks —
The sight of China's Guan Tianlang striding the famous fairways of Augusta at the tender age of 14 -- winning the low amateur prize in the process -- caused quite a stir. The child prodigy represents a burgeoning talent pool in Asia, so could 2014 be the year someone from that region finally wins the Masters?
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The top-ranked Asian player is Japan's Hideki Matsuyama -- a former world amateur No. 1 and winner of the low amateur prize at Augusta in 2011. He and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee are expected to lead Asia's charge.
Welcome Matsuyama —
The top-ranked Asian player is Japan's Hideki Matsuyama -- a former world amateur No. 1 and winner of the low amateur prize at Augusta in 2011. He and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee are expected to lead Asia's charge.
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Jose Maria Olazabal was the last European winner of the Masters, in 1999. He also won the green jacket in 1994 and captained Europe to a famous Ryder Cup triumph on U.S. soil at Medinah in 2012. Sergio Garcia, who won the low amateur prize at Augusta in 1999, was part of Olazabal's victorious team, and is one of four European players in the current top 10.
European joy? —
Jose Maria Olazabal was the last European winner of the Masters, in 1999. He also won the green jacket in 1994 and captained Europe to a famous Ryder Cup triumph on U.S. soil at Medinah in 2012. Sergio Garcia, who won the low amateur prize at Augusta in 1999, was part of Olazabal's victorious team, and is one of four European players in the current top 10.
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Just because Woods is absent doesn't mean he will be absent from the debate. Stuck on 14 major wins since the 2008 U.S. Open in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record 18, the world No. 1 always makes up column inches whether he is playing or not and, with his four victories at Augusta, the eventual winner may well have to field the question "Might things have been different if Tiger was playing?"
Major problems —
Just because Woods is absent doesn't mean he will be absent from the debate. Stuck on 14 major wins since the 2008 U.S. Open in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record 18, the world No. 1 always makes up column inches whether he is playing or not and, with his four victories at Augusta, the eventual winner may well have to field the question "Might things have been different if Tiger was playing?"
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Whoever comes out on top, one thing is guaranteed: the 2014 Masters will be as unpredictable, and addictive, as ever.
What lies in wait at Augusta? —
Whoever comes out on top, one thing is guaranteed: the 2014 Masters will be as unpredictable, and addictive, as ever.
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