Masters Preview: Five Players Other Than Tiger Woods to Watch This Week

We all know that Tiger Woods is the odds-on favorite to win this week’s Masters. Many analysts have all but handed Woods his fifth green jacket before the tournament has even begun.

But, in the game of golf, and any sport for that matter, anything can happen and that is why the tournament is played.

Tiger Woods may very well win his fifth Masters this week at Augusta, but here are a few other players to keep on eye on this week at Augusta.

Geoff Ogilvy

Geoff Ogilvy has played nearly flawless golf in his last two tournaments.

Ogilvy snapped Woods’ 6-month winning streak by winning The World Golf Championship CA at Doral three weeks ago. He then went on to finish second at last week’s Shell Houston Open.

At the WGC, Ogilvy did not make a bogey the entire tournament. At the Shell Houston Open, Ogilvy finished with a 66 and 68 on the weekend, which consisted of eight birdies, an eagle and just one bogey.

Ogilvy’s game has been visually perfect that past few weeks. You combine that with his seemingly carefree persona and you have a combination that could very well challenge Augusta National and Woods this week.

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson spent most of last season battling a wrist injury sustained at the US Open at Oakmont.

After his poor performance in the 2007 Masters, Mickelson parted with his long time swing coach Rick Smith and began working with renowned swing instructor Butch Harmon. Mickelson hired Harmon last year with the hopes of bringing more consistency to his game, particularly off the tee.

Mickelson has come back in 2008 looking as if he has slimmed down and is in a lot better physical condition.

Mickelson has 3 top-10 finishes in 8 tournaments this year, including a win at the Northern Trust and a second place finish at the FBR Open.

Mickelson’s work with Harmon appears to be paying off as his game has been more consistent and he is hitting 5% more greens in regulation this season.

An injury free Mickelson with a new-found consistency in his game could make a run at Woods this week.

Ernie Els

It has taken Els three years to fully recover from a knee injury sustained in a boating accident.

This year Els appears to be at least close to his pre-injury form.

Els won his first tournament in three years at the Honda Classic in February.

Even though Els’ play this year remains somewhat inconsistent, he is beginning to return to his familiar place among the top golfers in the world.

If Els gets hot this week and putts the ball well, he has the ability to challenge just about anyone.

Padraig Harrington

Harrington finally achieved his first victory at a Major last year with a win at the British Open at Carnoustie.

Harrington is the highest ranked European entering the Masters and was in contention last week at the Shell Houston Open.

Harrington is a very accurate ball striker, which is one trait that is imperative at Augusta.

He has also stated his intention of attaching the par-5s this week. At Augusta, that strategy could prove to be detrimental or it could give him the boost he needs to challenge Woods.

Either way, the 2007 British Open Champion is a player to watch this week at Augusta.

Stewart Cink

Stewart Cink has the reputation of not being able to close out a tournament which is not a desirable trait when playing in a tournament that is typically decided on the back nine of the final round.

Cink has three top five finishes this season, including two second place finishes at WGC: Accenture Match Play Championship and the PODS Championship.

However, living up to his reputation, his final round scoring average this season has been 71.25.

Cink has been playing very consistent golf this season and is due to win a Major.

If Cink can put himself in a good position after three rounds and get over his final round woes he could make a run, even if it is a long shot.

Woods’ confident, some might even say overconfident, aspirations of winning the Grand Slam this season have been well publicized.

Woods hasn’t really given us a reason to think that he doesn’t have a legitimate chance at winning the Grand Slam for the first time since Bobby Jones.

But, that is why the tournament is played and with the talent on the PGA Tour at the moment there are many players in the field who could foil Tiger’s aspiration in the first Major of the year.