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Augusta National awaits Tiger juggernaut
2008-04-04
The Tiger Woods juggernaut rolls into Augusta, Georgia, for next week's U.S. Masters where he will be the overwhelming favorite to claim the title for a fifth time. The American world number one has been virtually unstoppable this year, winning his first four tournaments before finishing fifth at last month's WGC-CA Championship in Miami. Since last August, the dominant Woods has triumphed nine times in 11 starts worldwide and he will be hunting his 14th major title next week at one of his favorite venues. "I'm excited about returning to Augusta National," Woods said this week in a monthly newsletter about the opening major of the year. "Overall, I feel very good about the way I'm swinging the club. "Although my winning streak ended at Doral, I'm very pleased about the way I have played and hope the positive momentum carries over to Augusta. "Ever since I joined the PGA Tour in 1996, my goal has always been to win every tournament," the 32-year-old added. "That's just the way I think. If you don't feel that way, why enter? "Although I got off to a great start his year by winning my first four events, including Dubai, I knew it was unlikely I would go undefeated. That didn't stop me from trying." Woods is ideally suited to the par-72 Augusta National layout which was stretched to a formidable 7,445 yards for the 2006 Masters, making it the second longest course in major championship history. He is among golf's biggest hitters, has a superbly creative short game and is arguably the best putter of all time from inside 15 feet. BIGGEST CHALLENGE The biggest challenge at Augusta comes on the slick, severely sloping greens and Woods has become well acquainted with their nuances since making his Masters debut as an amateur in 1995. "I feel pretty good at Augusta," he said. "I know how to prepare the way I like to play the tournament and it helps that I have gained a lot of knowledge from members and former champions I have played practice rounds with." Minimal changes have been implemented at Augusta for this year's Masters and Woods decided against traveling there to play an early practice round. "It's going to be long and difficult and you're going to have to have all aspects of your game firing," he said. "The only thing we don't know is what the wind is going to do." Although experience is often a major factor at Augusta, unfancied American Zach Johnson proved otherwise last year. Defying all the odds in only his third Masters appearance, Johnson held off a late challenge by Woods to win his first major title by two shots, closing with a three-under-par 69. The Iowa native became the most surprising champion since compatriot Larry Mize in 1987 after a week that yielded the fourth highest scoring average (75.881) in the tournament's history. However, experience will always be a prized commodity at Augusta and twice champion Phil Mickelson and 2000 winner Vijay Singh are likely to be leading contenders next week. The Masters takes place from April 10-13. (Editing by Ossian Shine)
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