TIGER WOODS (AMERICA)

Even money with bookmakers around the world, Woods is seeking his fifth green jacket — one more than Palmer, one short of Jack Nicklaus. His swing looks better than ever, his putting stroke looks typically solid, and no one wants it more than he does. How could you not pick him?

VIJAY SINGH (FIJI)

After making big changes to his swing over the winter (it has become more upright) and with three top-three finishes already this year, the Fijian is ready for another green jacket. Few strike the ball as cleanly or powerfully as Singh, but the question mark over his putting is difficult to shift. If he rolls it well, he can compete with Woods.

GEOFF OGILVY (AUSTRALIA)

After a dreadful start to the season, the 2006 U.S. Open champion has shown good form in recent weeks with a win at the WGC CA Championship in Miami and a tie for second in Houston last weekend. He has the power to deal with Augusta’s length and should feel comfortable if he’s in contention on Sunday, having already won a major.

AARON BADDELEY (AUSTRALIA)

Twenty-seven-year-old Baddeley is becoming a big-time player after a few years in the doldrums. A final round 80 at last year’s U.S. Open was something of a setback, but the mental scars healed quickly and on a course so different to Oakmont he won’t fear final round pressure should he find himself in the last group again. No past form at Augusta, but the course should suit him and his wonderful putting stroke.

STUART APPLEBY (AUSTRALIA)

One of those players you’d never pick to win a major, Appleby is nonetheless a world-class performer who’d be justifiably disappointed if he ended his career without one. At 36, he’s ripe for a big win, and five top-10 finishes from eight events this year suggest that he’s in the sort of form to spring a surprise.

ANDRES ROMERO (ARGENTINA)

With his play at the last two Open Championships (tied for eighth at Hoylake, third at Carnoustie), the 26-year-old Argentinean proved he has the game to compete on the big stage. His win in New Orleans two weeks ago confirmed that his game travels well too. Plenty long enough (293.4 yards average this year), and a decent putter (36th on Tour), don’t be surprised if he’s in the hunt come Sunday.

FRED COUPLES (AMERICA)

Not only will Couples be seeking to make his 24th consecutive cut at Augusta, he could conceivably become the oldest player to win as well — provided his back holds out and he carries over his good form from last week. Could it be that his tie for 4th in Houston, which included a closing 66, might inspire him to Masters glory?

BUBBA WATSON (AMERICA)

It will be interesting to see what effect Bubba’s incredible driving has on Augusta. He’s capable of hitting the sort of clubs into Par 4s and Par 5s that forced Chairman Hootie Johnson to lengthen the course, and he can certainly shape the ball as well as most. A midround meltdown on Saturday at Oakmont last year suggests he may not have the temperament and patience to handle the inevitable stress and pressure the Masters creates, but he’ll be fun to watch.

BERNHARD LANGER (GERMANY)

Now 50, the two-time Masters champion is perhaps too old to beat the youngsters on such a demanding course, but he’s off to a fast start on the Champions Tour this year with two wins and five top-10s from seven tournaments, so he should be full of confidence. He still averages 284 yards off the tee, but that puts him 30–40 yards behind Woods, Watson, J.B. Holmes, and a few others, and that’s just too much to give up no matter how good a short game you have.

TRIP KUEHNE (USA)

The eldest sibling in the family, but the only one without a USGA title (brother Hank won the 1998 U.S. Amateur and sister Kelli won a U.S. Junior Girls and two U.S. Women’s Amateur championships), Kuehne finally completed the set last summer when he won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Having rejected the life of the touring professional, this lifetime amateur now owns a money management company in Dallas and says this year’s Masters will be his last competitive tournament.