PGA Features

John Hopkins, The Times

"Phil Mickelson is too talented to come second repeatedly to Tiger in the Masters. Augusta calls for his strengths - imagination around the greens and putting skills on them. Five top three finishes in the past seven years, including two victories, prove as much.

"Other than that, what about someone on whom our eyes would not normally linger, not when Woods is in the field - Steve Stricker for example?

"And for a European how about Lee Westwood? His short game is much improved, thanks to Mark Roe's help. He is fitter and stronger and playing better than he has for years. He has a calmness that has come with maturity and he should not be frightened if he stands on the 10th tee in the last round and realises he is leading the tournament as he so famously was eight years ago."

Jock Howard, Golf World

"I'm putting a very small wager on Justin Rose, but it will be small, because I expect Tiger, who hasn't won there in the last couple of years, to come through for his fifth Jacket.

"Rose is really solid mentally now, and the work he has been doing with his coach, Nick Bradley, has transformed him as a player. He looks the real deal now and most importantly, he really believes he can win. He will also have learnt a lot from last year when he held the lead for so long.

"It's worth remembering that Justin was one of only seven players last year to make the cut in all four of the majors, and by winning the European Order of Merit and breaking into the world top-10 he is Europe's best chance of a Green Jacket. I hope he goes all the way, but won't be surprised if a guy called Eldrick pips him."

Martin Dempster, Bunkered Magazine

"First and foremost, I think Tiger will win at Augusta but the player I think might have a chance of beating him is Lee Westwood.

"Yes, I honestly think the Englishman can make his presence felt in the 'Majors' this year. He's been in cracking form over the past few months and, providing he can get the putter working, I see him figuring prominently in The Masters."

Andy Farrell, Independent on Sunday

"An outsider to win the Masters? Try KJ Choi. He's become a consistent winner on the PGA Tour, has already won this year and last took two big titles on top courses such as Muirfield Village and Congressional.

"He was third at Augusta four years ago and has formed a formidable team with caddie Andy Prodger, who was Nick Faldo's bagman for his first Masters win in 1989."

Jock MacVicar, Scottish Daily Express

"Geoff Ogilvy has to be Tiger's strongest challenger. He has done it before in a major, he is in form, and he has the temperament to stand up to the world number one.

"If Phil Mickelson can control his driving, and putts as well as he can he is also a threat along with Padraig Harrington, whose breakthrough at Carnoustie last year proved that he can handle the biggest occasions."

Peter Alliss, BBC commentator

"I find it difficult to look beyond Tiger because he gets the job done. He's used to winning and has raised the bar while the rest of the players that could and should be challenging are showing no consistency. Look at Ernie Els, he won four weeks ago, then he missed the cut the following week. Doesn't do well in a limited field event and then misses the next two weeks.

"Retief Goosen is starting to show a bit of form and may be in there, while Vijay is also showing a bit of form and has won at Augusta. Both are likely to be good outside bets and may be worth a punt. Adam Scott's a wonderful player but yet to show any form in the majors while Phil Mickelson will always be a contender depending on which Phil turns up but it's difficult not to back Tiger. When he's on his game, which he is, he's got the beating of them all."