The longwait for tee time is finally over

Less pressure on top players due to the number of favourites

Deputy Editor Sports

Consider this a tradition unlike any other. Two or three or more of the best playerswin tournaments in the months leading to April, golf fans hear the familiar, soothing notes of “Augusta” in TV spots and declare that this is shaping up to be the bestMasters of themall.

No doubt, there has been enough happen in 12 weeks to start counting the days.

Dustin Johnson started the yearwith an eight- shot victory that featured a 432- yard drive on a 433- yard hole. He remains atNo. 1 intheworld.

Phil Mickelson, a threetime Masters champion, won aWorld Golf Championship for his first victory in nearly five years. Bubba Watson, a twotime Masters champion, had not won in two years and now has won twice in his last four starts.

The career Grand Slam became a popular topic again when Rory McIlroy won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first victory in 18 months. This will be his fourth attempt to become the sixth player to capture all fourmajors.

One other element to this Masters: TigerWoods.

He is generating the bulk of the buzz, and Woods hasn’t even won yet. Excitement over the Masters typically gives the spring air a sweeter aroma. But is that much different from a year ago?

Look at the landscape in 2017. Jordan Spieth won big at Pebble Beach and had never finished worse than runnerup in three Masters. Thomas shot 59, set a PGA Tour scoring record for 72 holes and swept Hawaii to begin his emergence as the next young star. Hideki Matsuyama was on a roll. Jon Rahm was just getting started. Rickie Fowler won again. And then Johnson found another gear and won three straight tournaments. And then Sergio Garcia won his first major in his 20th year as a pro.

The difference now is that picking a favourite is like picking a favourite hole at Augusta National. TheWestgate Las Vegas Superbook most recently had Woods, Thomas, McIlroy and Johnson at 10- 1. Spieth and Rose were 12- 1. Watson was behind at 14- 1, followed byMickelson and Day at 16- 1.

If it seems crowded at the top, consider what brought us to this point. Woods at 50- 1 for the Masters before he returned to competition the firstweek of December in the Bahamas.

Johnson wins Kapalua by eight shots for his eighth victory in his last 34 events, all

against some of the strong fields. Rahm ended 2017 by winning the European finale in Dubai, was runner- up at Kapalua and won the CareerBuilder Challenge. With a chance to go to No. 1 in the world at Torrey Pines, he went from a one- shot deficit after 36 holes to a 75- 77 weekend. Woods made the cut at Torrey Pines with a two- putt birdie from 70 feet on his last hole. He tied for 23rd, exceeding expectations. Masters odds go to 20- 1.

Johnson finished second at Pebble Beach to Ted Potter Jr, who has missed every cut since then. Watson won at Riviera for the third time, his first PGA Tour victory in two years. Woods misses the cut at Riviera. His Masters odds go to 25- 1.

Thomas doesn’t have his best stuff and still wins the Honda Classic with a clutch wedge and a 5- wood. Woods, seven shots behind going into the final round, finishes 12th at Honda Classic. Masters odds forWoods go to 16- 1.

Mickelson wins Mexico Championship in a playoff over Thomas, who holed a wedge from the fairway for eagle on the 18th hole. Mickelson had eight straight years of top 10s at theMasters. He expects todo well there. Everyone does.

Woods is runner- up at the Valspar Championship by one shot. Johnson and Thomas are co- favourites at 8- 1. Woods is now 10- 1. Woods opens with a 68 at Bay Hill, one off the early lead. As he playshis backnine, he becomes one of the joint Masters favourites. McIlroy birdies five of the last six holes towin Bay Hill.

Thomas is one match away from getting to No. 1 in the world when he loses, 3 and 2, toWatson in the semi- finals of Match Play. Watson wins for the second time in his last four events. “In the end it might be a good thing going to Augusta without that,” Thomas said of theNo. 1 ranking. Except Johnsonwon’t have all the pressure, not with so many favourites — includingWoods.

EspeciallyWoods.