Durzblog

I have sifted through the field and have laid out who I expect to play well this week, the most exciting golf tournament of the year is upon us. This is the one venue that the players hold in the highest regard, the one prize that is the most coveted.

The Masters field is very select (86 players), and with the past champions gaining invitations (few with any chance), handicapping the event and picking contenders is a bit easier then it would be in a regular tour event. So here we go....Aside from Tiger and Fred I will highlight a guy from each grouping to keep an eye on. The cream always rises here and you can expect there to be some big timers on the board this Sunday

Favorite --
everyone's pick to win this and a bit of buzz about winning all 4 this year. blasphemy I say

• Tiger Woods, yeah you know who he is and is always the favorite heading into Augusta, Doral showed that he is human. barely. 4 green jackets in his closet.
  

Top Competition --
the next best players in the world, IMO

• Jim Furyk -- 2 top 5's at Augusta and the focus that always makes him contend for majors
• Phil Mickelson -- lefty is the man around the Amen Corner, two wins and a boatload of top 10's, current form is a touch shaky
• KJ Choi -- 3rd in 2004, the world number 7 appears to be in the prime of his career, plays well on tougher courses

Major Players
these guys have proven they can get it done under the immense pressure of a major, some a few times

• Angel Cabrera -- the reigning US Open champion -- form has left him a bit
  
• Padraig Harrington -- the Open Champion of 2007 always grinds it out, has played well in Georgia before (t5 2002)
  
• Zach Johnson -- returns to defend the green jacket
• Retief Goosen -- two time US Open champion has proven he is always a player in majors. Never rattled and steady long -- the putter will be the key (2nd in 2002, t2 in 2007)
  
• Ernie Els -- 3 time major champion has been struggling to get back to the top, talent has never wavered (2nd 2000 and 2004)
  
• Mike Weir, the former champion and God of Canada has shown some signs of like by winning last fall, can he return to his status as a world top tenner? or is he a hoser?
• David Toms, former PGA Champion and Augusta contender is kind of forgotten about, former elite players can find their games at Augusta
• Vijay Singh, 3 time major winner is getting a bit long in the tooth, but won here in 2000 and has plenty of experience

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi Oi Oi
The only major that has yet to be conquered by the proud golf nation. These Golferoos all have the ball striking and class to compete, will any have the short stick to truly contend?

• Robert Allenby -- streaky player -- can play well in difficult conditions. has 3 major top tens
  
• Stuart Appleby -- likes Augusta and has played well here recently with a top 10 in 2007
  
• Aaron Baddeley -- has gotten his feet wet in the majors and is an uber solid striker of the ball
  
• Geoff Ogilvy -- the US Open champion from Winged Foot has his game in order, win at Doral and t2 in Houston
  
• Adam Scott -- best of the young guns -- can play well against strong fields at big venues (Masters t9 in 2002)
  

Quiet Guys who hang around big events
nobody will be picking these guys, but solid sleeper picks with solid resumes

• Stewart Cink -- has played well this year, even if not finishing well. Owns at least 1 top 10 in all majors including here in 2006
  
• Tim Clark -- likeable guy that just flat out plays well in majors, 2nd here in 2006
  
• Steve Stricker -- last years comeback player of the year has competed well at Augusta before and has the patience to play in big events
  

Best Player never to....
you know the drill (Dylan McKay),all these guys can play but when will they win a big

• Sergio Garcia -- top 4 at all majors, including t4 here in 2004 -- its only a matter of time before he putts well, isn't it?
  
• Luke Donald -- t3 in 2005, Mizuno blades and Polo shirts just seem a perfect fit this week
  
• Trevor Immelman -- 5th in 2005, South African seems destined for a few majors
  
• Rory Sabbatini -- love him or hate him, Frodo can play the game. his lone major to 10 came here last year with a 2nd place showing
  

Other Young Guns

• Hunter Mahan -- returns to Augusta for the first time since his debut in 2003. Game suits the course.
  
• Ian Poulter -- t13 in 2007, this colorful golfer has the game and the moxie to play here. If nothing else his attire will be sweet.
  
• Justin Rose -- t5 last year is his best showing as a professional in a major. Europe's highes rated golfer (6th in the world) will arrive quite confident

Making their debuts
there are 20 guys making their first appearance, these three have the best chance to play well

• J. B. Holmes, smasher of the ball -- can take advantage of some back nine opportunities
  
• Andres Romero, recent winner in New Orleans, contended last year at the British
  
• Sean O'Hair, winner in Florida this year has some serious game and I have a man crush on him

Born to Play here
Freddy aims to be the oldest champion
Fred Couples -- This is the week of the year that gets the un-excitable Boob Boom a little bit excited. The 1992 champion is making his 24th appearance and he has never missed the cut. The 48 year old played in the final group on Sunday as recently as two years ago and played very well last week in Houston

Durz winner:
Lefty gets his third.