US Masters / Paul Krishnamurty / 22 March 2010 /

Zach Johnson, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera and Mike Weir have all worn the famous Green Jacket in recent years. Paul Krishnamurty discusses how these five are expected to fare this time round.

Phil Mickelson

Last five Masters attempts: 5/5/24/1/10

Mickelson may have been overtaken in the rankings by Steve Stricker, but the world number three remains without doubt the main threat to Tiger. Twice a former Masters champion, his record of 11 top-10 finishes, including eight top-5s, is in fact comparable to Woods on this course. On the downside, at the time of writing we've yet to see the best of Mickelson this season. But Lefty will take plenty of stopping if he can get the putter working again in time.

Verdict:

Even at these short ([10.5]) odds, Mickelson would have rewarded traders in most years at Augusta.

Vijay Singh

Last five Masters attempts: 30/14/13/8/5

As with most venues, Vijay's Augusta record is extremely consistent, only missing the top-20 once this century. He will do well to maintain it, however, if his general form over the past 18 months if anything to go by. The Fijian retains his long game brilliance, but has become a truly awful putter. That really doesn't bode well for Augusta, where putting is arguably the key skill.

Verdict:

Very, very, very hard to fancy

Angel Cabrera

Last five Masters attempts: 1/25/37/8/mc

Though this dual major winner undoubtably remains a class act, it would represent quite a shock if he were to retain the Green Jacket. That victory actually came rather out of the blue, as he has only made three other top-10s on the two main tours since the end of 2007. Cabrera has yet to do anything of note this term either.

Verdict:

Clearly has the game for Augusta, if not the recent form

Mike Weir

Last five Masters attempts: 46/17/11/20/5

Having relentlessly accumulated decent finishes and pots of cash in the biggest events over the past decade, Weir deserves the major winner status earned here in 2003. That does seem like a rather strange result though, given that he's never seriously challenged in any other year at Augusta. In fact, Weir has the sort of short, straight-hitting profile that would be more usually associated with a US Open or PGA.

Verdict:

Liable to make yet another top-20, even if remaining an outsider.

Zach Johnson

Last five Masters attempts: mc/20/1/32/mc

Zach stunned the golfing world and most punters here in 2007, but has since proven that his win was no fluke. Relentless accuracy and a superb putting touch on these fast greens just about makes up for a serious disadvantage in terms of driving distance. Moreover, six victories in the same number of full PGA Tour seasons shows he knows how to get the job done when an opportunity arises.

Verdict:

A plausible outsider and likely candidate for the places.

Selection

Phil Mickelson @ [10.5]

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