ESPN Golf Online
Thursday, April 6
| 1. Tiger Woods |
| Best finish: 1st, 1997 |
| Last five years: 1999: T18; 1998: T8; 1997: 1; 1996: Cut; 1995: T41 |
| Comment: It would be foolish to pick anybody else, although Phil Mickelson, Hal Sutton and Darren Clarke proved Woods can be beat. In seven starts this year, he has three wins and three seconds. He can also intimidate most of the other players in the field. |
| 2. David Duval |
| Best finish: 2nd, 1998 |
| Last five years: 1999: T6; 1998: T2; 1997: Cut; 1996: T18; 1995: DNP |
| Comment: He hasn't won in a year, but his game is perfect for Augusta. He's been close the last two years and has played well this year, with four top-five finishes. This tournament means more to him than any other. |
| 3. Nick Price |
| Best finish: 5th, 1986 |
| Last five years: 1999: T6; 1998: Cut; 1997: T24; 1996: T18; 1995: Cut |
| Comment: His iron play is as solid as anyone on tour right now, and he plays his best in majors. He was third at Doral and third at The Players Championship as he tuned up his game for this event. |
| 4. Colin Montgomerie |
| Best finish: 8th, 1998 |
| Last five years: 1999: T11; 1998: T8; 1997: T30; 1996: T39; 1995: T17 |
| Comment: Monty's been Europe's best player for seven years because of his accuracy and putting, two keys to Augusta. Monty also knows he needs to play well in the big events to catch Darren Clarke in the Order of Merit chase. |
| 5. Jesper Parnevik |
| Best finish: 21st, 1997 |
| Last five years: 1999: Cut; 1998: T31; 1997: T21; 1996: DNP; 1995: DNP |
| Comment: If not for Tiger, Parnevik would be the story of 2000. He had five top-10 finishes in his first six starts, including a win at the Bob Hope Classic. He's become a great putter and is solid under pressure, such as last year's Ryder Cup. |
| 6. Tom Lehman |
| Best finish: 2nd, 1994 |
| Last five years: 1999: T31; 1998: Cut; 1997: T12; 1996: T18; 1995: 40 |
| Comment: Lehman has rediscovered the form that carried him to player of the year in 1996. He won in Phoenix, won the unofficial Williams World Challenge and contended at The Players Championship. He must be better at knowing when to take chances at Augusta, however. |
| 7. Jim Furyk |
| Best finish: 4th, 1998 |
| Last five years: 1999: T14; 1998: 4; 1997: T29; 1996: T29; 1995: DNP |
| Comment: Furyk won at Doral, so his game is sharp, but Furyk's strength is playing in majors. In his last 11 majors, Furyk has seven top-10 finishes and three others in the top 20. his cross-handed putting will help him on Augusta's slick greens. |
| 8. Davis Love III |
| Best finish: 2nd, 1995 and 1999 |
| Last five years: 1999: 2; 1998: T33; 1997: T7; 1996: T7; 1995: 2 |
| Comment: Nobody has been better at Augusta over the past five years than Love, with a pair of seconds and a pair of sevenths. Love is long and a great tee-to-reen player, but his putter has let him down on Sundays. As long as he isn't with Tiger on Sunday, he's got a shot. |
| 9. Greg Norman |
| Best finish: 2nd, 1986, 1987, 1996 |
| Last five years: 1999: 3; 1998: Cut; 1997: Cut; 1996: 2; 1995: T3 |
| Comment: Does he have one more run at a green jacket in him? He certainly gave it a shot last year, and the drive up Magnolia Lane should be enough to inspire him. His dedication -- not the talent -- is the question. |
| 10. Fred Couples |
| Best finish: 1st, 1992 |
| Last five years: 1999: T27; 1998: T2; 1997: T7; 1996: T15; 1995: T10 |
| Comment: In 15 trips to Augusta, Couples has never missed a cut and has seven top-10 finishes, including a win in 1992 and a near-miss in 1998. If he's able to play -- and that is an issue with his back flaring up again -- Augusta should inspire him. |
11. Phil Mickelson: Coming in hot and has three top-10s in seven trips to Augusta, but the course doesn't favor a left-hander.
12. Ernie Els: His only top-10 finish was his first trip to Augusta in 1994, but he certainly has the ability to turn on his game at any point.
13. Carlos Franco: He tied for sixth last year as a rookie and has no fears -- but what that be true on a Sunday in a major?
14. David Toms: Had two wins last year to give him confidence. Shot a final-round 64 at Augusta in 1998, one off course record.
15. Darren Clarke: He proved his game can stand up to the heat at the World Match Play, but was 9-over in two rounds at Augusta in 1999.
16. John Huston: Always plays well at Augusta, never missing a cut in 10 consecutive appearances.
17. Shigeki Maruyama: Contending often during his first year as a PGA Tour regular thanks to nerves of steel and solid putting.
18. Paul Azinger: Finished fifth here in 1998 and playing with confidence after win in Hawaii and contending at Players Championship.
19. Mike Weir: First time in The Masters for Weir, who has four top-10s this season and a rock-solid game.
20. Jose Maria Olazabal: Never count out the defending champion. Has two wins and five top-10s in 12 shots at Augusta, although his driving is as erratic as ever.
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