Sports

Can anyone tame Tiger?

• Tiger Woods enters as the heavy favorite to win the Masters with a horde of challengers hoping to knock him off.

Scott Chancey

AUGUSTA — The 2008 Masters, at its heart, can be simplified to a game of “King of the Mountain.”

Since late last year, it has been no secret who this year’s field will be try to knock off.

Meet Eldrick Woods, the world’s top-ranked golfer. You can call him Tiger.

The four-time Masters champion has won in three of his four appearances this year and is once again a legitimate candidate to capture professional golf’s single-year grand slam and take one step closer to breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 grand slam event titles.

Why? Because Woods — who has 13 major championships at the age of 32 — said so, proclaiming earlier this year it’s “easily within reason.”

This Masters is unique in itself, even without Woods’ attempt at history.

It is the 50th anniversary of Amen Corner, the 51st Masters appearance for three-time champion Gary Player, and everything from the azaleas to Magnolia Lane looks as if it burst right out of a Thomas Cole painting.

“Obviously the history,” Woods said, talking about what makes the annual showcase at Augusta National Golf Club so special. “This is the only major we play each and every year on the same venue. That, and you know, I think I’ve been lucky enough to have won this tournament and just to go up in the Champion’s Locker Room and see all the guys over the years and get to know them. That’s one of the neatest things about this golf tournament is the history behind it.”

From today on, however, it’s all about Woods and the others trying to stop him. Zach Johnson did last year, winning with a 1-over-par 289. Woods was unable to make a charge at the Iowa native and finished in a three-way tie for second with Rory Sabbatini and Retief Goosen.

With that in mind, Johnson feels challenged instead of intimidated.

“I think Tiger Woods, having the best athlete in the world and most recognizable athlete in the world, the most dominant athlete in the world playing our sport is by far and away the best thing that could happen to us,” Johnson said.

Johnson won’t be alone in pursuit of Woods. Phil Mickelson, the world’s second-ranked golfer won the Masters in 2004 and ’06. Although Mickelson beat Woods head-to-head in Boston late last year, doing it in a major is a different challenge altogether. A win by Mickelson this week could legitimize his chances of challenging Woods week in and week out. And that, of course, can also give HIM this year’s only chance at the single-year grand slam.

“I think that’s probably the most difficult feat in golf,” said Mickelson, who won the 2006 Masters with two drivers. “I think that it would be pretty cool to see it done. The last tournament or two, there would be some incredible pressure.”

While Mickelson is chasing his third green jacket, third-ranked Ernie Els has tried to end the heartbreak at Augusta National.

Mickelson sank a dramatic birdie putt to edge Els by one stroke in 2004, and Els placed second to Vijay Singh in 2000. After ending almost a four-year PGA Tour winless drought by capturing the Honda Classic last month, Els recently hired a new swinging coach — Butch Harmon, who in the past has worked with Woods and Mickelson. Since Els’ game literally is in transition, he isn’t sure what to expect.

“Hey, it could go any way – either way, I should say,” said Els, who has won two U.S. Opens and a British Open. “When I do those moves and I get it in the right slot, I’m hitting really wonderful golf shots. And to do that around Augusta, knowing with all of the hazards and trouble around this place, that’s another story. Emotionally, hopefully I can be right on (today) and really trust the swing and trust my different moves.”

For other golfers, their appearances are likely dreams come true. Former Abraham Baldwin golfer Boo Weekley is making his first appearance. At least, judging by what he said at the same Honda Classic Els won, he won’t be intimidated, either.

“ It's just golf, man,” Weekley said. “I know it's supposed to be the elite golf tournament of the year or whatever, but it's still golf.”

It may still be golf, but it is a game that will shine its spotlight on Woods until another golfer proves himself capable of showing both the skill and mettle to take him over.

Woods seems to have fine-tuned his swing over the years to perfection.

That, in itself, makes him the one to beat. Another is – well, his second-place finish against Johnson last year.

“I love winning,” Woods said. “I just love getting out there and mixing it up with the guys here, and they are trying to beat me and I’m trying to beat them; that’s fun.”

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