They Should Be the Contenders

Phil Mickelson: Is it his turn to win his first major? Maybe. At least he looks good in green.

Fred Couples: He is coming off a big victory at the Players Championship and putting well enough to make a run at his second green jacket.

Colin Montgomerie: He has been in contention for three major titles and lost two of them in playoffs. Many believe the fourth time’s the charm.

Greg Norman: At 41, time is running out for him to win at Augusta. After missing back-to-back cuts, he’s not exactly hot coming in.

Ernie Els: He hits it long, he has a soft touch and he can handle the pressure. All he has to do is prove his closing 72 at last year’s PGA Championship was a fluke.

John Daly: He hits it longer, he has a soft touch and there’s no rough at Augusta National. If they have chocolate muffins on the course, he’s a contender.

Nick Faldo: A two-time Masters champion, he is six years removed from his 1990 triumph. Nobody works harder.

Davis Love III: His confidence is way up, and so is his game after closing with a 66 last year to finish one shot behind Ben Crenshaw.

Steve Elkington: He said he feels relaxed, prepared and confident for what he calls a marathon, not a race. Ask Montgomerie about the last race they had at Riviera.

Tiger Woods: He’s 20, he’s playing his second Masters, he can’t win--can he? He’s outdriving people by 50 yards, so yes, he can.

Ben Crenshaw: The smart guys say Crenshaw rolled the ball as well as anyone in the practice rounds. Beware the guys who can roll the ball at Augusta National.