BBC SPORT | Special Events | US Masters | Augusta swings Woods' way

BBC Sport's Alex Hay examines whether Tiger Woods has peaked just in time for the US Masters at Augusta.

Just two weeks ahead of the 2001 US Masters, Tiger Woods achieved victory at Bay Hill, taking him out of what one American writer has described as "a slump".

Certainly Tiger, having won virtually half of the events he played in 2000, had not won since last autumn, but had still scored almost 100 below par for those tournaments he had entered.

The concern raised over Tiger's performances and the erratic behaviour of his swing was understandable, for almost all thought he was infallible.

The question is, can Tiger be the player he was in 2000?

Even his victory at Bay Hill seemed flawed, as did his recent win at the Players' Championship in Sawgrass.

Only his cool head and ability to pull off near miracle shots when the pressure is at its greatest saw him through at Bay Hill.

He then needed Vijay Singh to falter with a seven at the 14th at Sawgrass to eventually win by one stroke.

Tiger's former high, wide golf-swing, which to most appeared flawless, has been deliberately sacrificed in search for one suited to the demands of Augusta.

Why, having won The Masters in 1997 by 12 shots, shattering almost every Augusta record, should he feel the need to change anything?

Wishing to create the ideal ball flight for the course, high with a slight draw spin from right to left, Tiger has lowered the plane of his wing, taking the club more around his body.

Of late, some of the results have made this decision questionable.

In Dubai, where a birdie at the last would have given him first win this year, the tee shot, which required exactly the ball flight mentioned, resulted in a push into an awful trouble and a humiliating double bogey finish.

Even when winning at Bay Hill he missed about every fairway of the closing nine.

Tiger has other problems that might stop his dream coming true - the form of some of the opposition.

Vijay Singh shows his delight after a birdie on the 15th at The Masters
Vijay Singh is in good form this season

Let's not forget the holder, Vijay Singh, who walked away with the title last year.

His main challengers were David Duval, whose hopes were dashed at the notorious 13th by a visit to Rae's Creek, and Ernie Els, who loves Augusta and whose swing is ideally suited to the course.

But he missed from short distance at the 16th - and the Fijian was home and dry.

In recent weeks, Vijay has recorded two European Tour victories and shown excellent form on his return to the States. He is therefore ideally prepared.

An extremely capable pair desperately seeking their first Major honours are Colin Montgomerie and Phil Mickelson.

Colin, whom we all would love to see win, often goes into Majors brimming with confidence only to succumb.

He struggled terribly with his putting in Dubai, where the greens are of similar pace to Augusta.

Perhaps this year, the golfing gods may be kind to him.

As for Mickelson, a left-hander gifted not only with the high ball flight required to land softly on Augusta's treacherous greens, but with an unequalled short game.

Phil Mickelson drives
Mickelson is still looking for that first elusive Major

In this early season, where the US Tour has had almost as many different winners as events, Phil is playing the best of all.

Augusta, in all its magnificence, has been kind to European golfers.

And many will hope for a good week for Sergio Garcia.

I would have fancied Lee Westwood most out of our current best, but absence makes me feel that the best bet for European success would be Padraig Harrington.

He is playing with confidence and has a wonderful putting touch.

From the Commonwealth, look out for the left-handed Canadian Mike Weir, who makes his debut and is ready to make an impact.


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