This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/apr/09/masters-rory-mcilroy-five-to-watch-augusta

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The Masters: from Rory McIlroy to Angel Cabrera, five to watch at Augusta The Masters: From Rory McIlroy to Angel Cabrera, five to watch at Augusta
(about 11 hours later)
Picking winners of major championships has never been tougher. The batch of first-time winners since 2007, interspersed only by Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson, supply proof of that.Picking winners of major championships has never been tougher. The batch of first-time winners since 2007, interspersed only by Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson, supply proof of that.
Still, there are clearly players with better Masters hopes than others. Augusta National is a speciality course. Here are my five top hopes for this, the 78th playing of the first major of the year. Let the debate begin:Still, there are clearly players with better Masters hopes than others. Augusta National is a speciality course. Here are my five top hopes for this, the 78th playing of the first major of the year. Let the debate begin:
Rory McIlroyRory McIlroy
Everything has endorsed the Northern Irishman's return to top form other than results. Or, specifically, a big win.Everything has endorsed the Northern Irishman's return to top form other than results. Or, specifically, a big win.
Augusta is tailor-made for McIlroy. Especially this week, when natural dampness means distance from the tee will be rewarded. It seems inconceivable that the 24-year-old won't don a Green Jacket sooner rather than later. If McIlroy putts well, he can destroy any field; as his two major wins to date prove.Augusta is tailor-made for McIlroy. Especially this week, when natural dampness means distance from the tee will be rewarded. It seems inconceivable that the 24-year-old won't don a Green Jacket sooner rather than later. If McIlroy putts well, he can destroy any field; as his two major wins to date prove.
He hits the ball high and long. He draws it for fun. In the specific context of this year, McIlroy is clearly building up to something significant both in terms of his form and demeanour.He hits the ball high and long. He draws it for fun. In the specific context of this year, McIlroy is clearly building up to something significant both in terms of his form and demeanour.
Henrik StensonHenrik Stenson
Much has been made of Stenson's struggles in the early part of 2014 but he is a canny customer. The Swede now carefully plans his schedule with majors in mind; his historic struggles at Augusta make no sense given Stenson's wonderful iron ability.Much has been made of Stenson's struggles in the early part of 2014 but he is a canny customer. The Swede now carefully plans his schedule with majors in mind; his historic struggles at Augusta make no sense given Stenson's wonderful iron ability.
When Stenson is properly focussed, as he unquestionably will be this week, there are very few tournaments he cannot win. Stenson's fifth-placed finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational illustrated that tales of his demise since a stunning 2013 are greatly exaggerated.When Stenson is properly focussed, as he unquestionably will be this week, there are very few tournaments he cannot win. Stenson's fifth-placed finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational illustrated that tales of his demise since a stunning 2013 are greatly exaggerated.
Like McIlroy, he has a game which is perfectly suited to Augusta. Stenson has experience in this, his ninth consecutive visit to the Masters. Victory would almost certainly propel Stenson to the top of the world rankings; what further motivation does he need?Like McIlroy, he has a game which is perfectly suited to Augusta. Stenson has experience in this, his ninth consecutive visit to the Masters. Victory would almost certainly propel Stenson to the top of the world rankings; what further motivation does he need?
Zach JohnsonZach Johnson
Since winning the Masters in 2007, Johnson hasn't had the best of times at Augusta. His best finish in the past seven years was a tie for 20th.Since winning the Masters in 2007, Johnson hasn't had the best of times at Augusta. His best finish in the past seven years was a tie for 20th.
Johnson has, though, been prominent in major championships. He arguably should have won last year's Open and also recorded a top 10 in the US PGA Championship.Johnson has, though, been prominent in major championships. He arguably should have won last year's Open and also recorded a top 10 in the US PGA Championship.
Johnson has won twice since September, a factor that cannot be ignored. He sits fourth on the US PGA Tour's driving accuracy chart and second for scoring average; also very pertinent statistics.Johnson has won twice since September, a factor that cannot be ignored. He sits fourth on the US PGA Tour's driving accuracy chart and second for scoring average; also very pertinent statistics.
If there is a drawback to Johnson's Augusta claims, it lies in his lack of distance from the tee but, unlike so many in the field, he knows what it takes to win a Masters. He is hardly a daft outside bet to do so again.If there is a drawback to Johnson's Augusta claims, it lies in his lack of distance from the tee but, unlike so many in the field, he knows what it takes to win a Masters. He is hardly a daft outside bet to do so again.
Jason DayJason Day
Anybody who hasn't finished outside of the top three in his two Masters starts has to be taken seriously. Regardless, that is, of Day's disrupted season to date because of a hand injury.Anybody who hasn't finished outside of the top three in his two Masters starts has to be taken seriously. Regardless, that is, of Day's disrupted season to date because of a hand injury.
Like McIlroy, Day has a game which fits perfectly with Augusta National's demands. He drives the ball a mile.Like McIlroy, Day has a game which fits perfectly with Augusta National's demands. He drives the ball a mile.
For all the Australian has played a lighter schedule than he would have preferred in 2014, there were no signs of rustiness at all as Day won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. This is a player who routinely steps up and meets the demands of a big occasion.For all the Australian has played a lighter schedule than he would have preferred in 2014, there were no signs of rustiness at all as Day won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. This is a player who routinely steps up and meets the demands of a big occasion.
Day can only have taken inspiration, too, from Adam Scott becoming the first Australian golfer to don a Green Jacket, 12 months ago.Day can only have taken inspiration, too, from Adam Scott becoming the first Australian golfer to don a Green Jacket, 12 months ago.
Angel CabreraAngel Cabrera
"El Pato" is the model of Augusta consistency. He won the Masters in 2009 and has since finished outside of the top 20 only once. Last year, only Adam Scott's playoff brilliance denied Cabrera a second Green Jacket."El Pato" is the model of Augusta consistency. He won the Masters in 2009 and has since finished outside of the top 20 only once. Last year, only Adam Scott's playoff brilliance denied Cabrera a second Green Jacket.
Cabrera tends to fly under the radar, partly because his unwillingness to converse in English denies him widespread media coverage. Scrape the surface, though, and you reveal a player who has operated at the top level of the game for at least a decade.Cabrera tends to fly under the radar, partly because his unwillingness to converse in English denies him widespread media coverage. Scrape the surface, though, and you reveal a player who has operated at the top level of the game for at least a decade.
Tellingly, his two wins in the United States have been in majors; it would be no surprise at all if Cabrera's low-key bursts into life with another one.Tellingly, his two wins in the United States have been in majors; it would be no surprise at all if Cabrera's low-key bursts into life with another one.