Golf: Augusta ready for big four

AUGUSTA, Georgia - The US Masters, global sport's eagerly anticipated rite of spring, is poised for a special week as the so-called "Big Four" tee off at Augusta National all brimming with confidence.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson, three-times winner Tiger Woods, world number one Vijay Singh and 2004 runner-up Ernie Els have all won this season and are almost certain to be in contention over the weekend.

Although each of the quartet believes the media and golf fans make too much of the "Fab Four" billing, there is little doubt their battle for supremacy could make this year's Masters one of the most memorable in history.

US Open champion Retief Goosen has not yet tasted victory in 2005, but most of his peers feel the easy-swinging South African should be added to the list of favourites.

"I don't think there is any question we have some marquee players that are doing a lot in the game at the moment, " four-times Masters champion Arnold Palmer said on Wednesday.

"That is the kind of thing you want to see more and more of to get attention. And we're getting it."

South African Gary Player, a three-times winner at Augusta National, agreed.

"I think we're having a very exciting time with golf that you have five guys so highly competitive," he said.

"It's going to be exciting to see who turns out to be the best. Golf is in a very healthy state of affairs at the moment. "

American left-hander Mickelson, who triumphed by a shot last year to end a long wait for his maiden major victory, launches his title defence on Thursday fresh from a third PGA Tour win of the season.

Mickelson sank a birdie putt at the fourth extra hole on Monday to hold off the challenge of 2002 US PGA champion Rich Beem after the rain-hit BellSouth Classic had been forced into a fifth day.

"To fight hard, shoot four-under (68) and get into the playoff gives me some confidence and momentum going into this week," said the world number four.

"It's really cool to play well at the start of the year and to be looked upon as a favourite.

"I've been playing some of the best golf of my life this year and it's exciting for me to be back on the premises at Augusta National. I am feeling refreshed and ready to go. "

Woods, bidding for a first major title since the 2002 US Open, believes he is close to his best form after spending much of last year revamping his swing for the second time as a professional.

"I've been scrutinised over the past year or so for doing that, but I'm starting to see the fruits of it now," said the world number two, who won twice and tied for third in his first five PGA Tour starts this year.

Woods, who is determined to become a better player than when he dominated the game in 1999 and 2000, accepts he still has a little way to go.

"The answer is no, not yet, but it's close," he replied when asked if his swing changes were complete.

"What's fun about it is that it's very similar to how I felt at the beginning of '99, and when it finally kicked in, it went off pretty good for two years," added Woods, who won seven majors out of 11 between August 1999 and June 2002.

While the likely form of the leading players has dominated pre-Masters talk, it would be a mistake to overlook the credentials of the other challengers.

WGC-Accenture Match Play winner David Toms of the US and Spaniard Sergio Garcia are highly rated and have performed well at Augusta, which is running remarkably firm and fast this week.

Americans Davis Love III and Chris DiMarco, 2003 winner Mike Weir of Canada and Ireland's Padraig Harrington are also likely to shine, while much is expected of younger guns such as Australia's Adam Scott and Britain's Luke Donald.

- REUTERS