Four talking points about the Masters as the first major looms.
1) Victory for Rory McIlroy would put him in the elite company of five others who achieved a modern career Grand Slam - Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. McIlroy won the US Open in 2011, PGA in 2012 and 2014 and British Open in 2014. His best finish at the Masters was fourth last year.
2) Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Player were the most celebrated trio to duel around the famed Augusta course. Will Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and McIlroy deliver the same thrilling clashes down the years?
3) Big-hitting Dustin Johnson is ranked 8th in the world but has yet to win a major. His final hole meltdown at last year's US Open left him runner-up while his best finish at Augusta is sixth. Is this his time?.
4) There's heavy talk about August favouring lefties but it took until 2003 before Mike Weir donned the green jacket. Since then Mickleson, three times and Gerry "Bubba" Watson twice, have claimed wins for the southpaws. There are four lefties in the field this week.
