Masters 2014: Latest Quotes from Golf's Top Favorites at Augusta

At the top of the list of the 2014 Masters favorites stands Rory McIlroy—who is also one of the hardest players in the world to figure out. 

After dominant 2011 and 2012 seasons, which had comparisons to Tiger Woods running rampant, the 24-year-old Irishman unraveled in 2013—no wins, just five top-10 finishes and a failure to make the cut at the Open Championship. 

While he hasn't secured the PGA Tour win that has eluded him since September of 2012, McIlroy has been rolling this season, notching a top-25 finish in every event he has played.  

And as he told reporters, via the Daily Telegraph's Paul Hayward, mental confidence and poise have followed the recent hot stretch of play:

Despite the fact that McIlroy has every tool necessary to dominate on tour, some are still hesitant about putting their faith in McIlroy—especially at Augusta. 

He finished 25th in 2013 and 40th in 2012 in his quest for the green jacket. In 2011, an infamous and equally atrocious 80 turned a four-shot lead into a 15th-place finish. 

But McIlroy talked about learning from the nightmare, via BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts:

"

It was a very important day in my career. It was a big learning curve.

I don't know if I had not had that day, whether I would be the person and the player I am sitting here. I learned exactly what not to do under pressure and contention and definitely learned how to handle my emotions better on the course.

"

While McIlroy is striking the ball extremely well and saying all the right things, this remains one of the most wide-open fields in recent memory. 

"You've got a lot of guys that can win, a lot of guys that have won PGA Tour events," McIlroy said, per the Associated Press' Doug Ferguson, via ABC3340.com. 

Adam Scott, last year's Masters winner, joins McIlroy as the co-favorite, per Odds Shark. He echoed McIlroy's statement, per the Associated Press' Paul Newberry, via ABCNews.com:

"

I think in the past, certainly that's been easy to go to events and look at a guy who is the guy to beat. I think that scope has kind of broadened now. There's a lot of guys with the talent and the form that aren't necessarily standing out above the others. But on their week, they're going to be tough to beat.

"

That "guy to beat" is usually Tiger Woods, the four-time winner and perennial favorite who won't be in action after undergoing back surgery. 

ESPN's Stuart Scott summed up Woods' importance to the game: 

Phil Mickelson, who typically tears up Augusta National, echoed the notion about his long-time foe missing from the field, per Ferguson:

"

It's a weird feeling not having him here, isn't it? He's been such a mainstay in professional golf and in the majors. It's awkward to not have him here. I hope he gets back soon. I hope he's back for the other majors. As much as I want to win — and I know how great he is and tough to beat — it makes it special when he's in the field and you're able to win.

"

While Woods' absence certainly leaves a gap in the Jack Nicklaus storylines and brings the average talent level down a bit, it won't take away from the allure of the Masters. 

"No matter who is in contention or who is going to win this week, the Masters always provides a great finish," McIlroy said, per Ferguson. "Regardless of who is there."

As the early-week tone from the favorites suggests, with a stacked field and a slew of players capable of winning the green jacket, we are set for a captivating and unpredictable tournament.