Power Rankings: The Masters

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You're not alone if you are having trouble identifying those worthy of this feature. Normally, we lean on Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson to occupy the top spot, and then allow the others to fall into place. However, as the field of 97 strides into the 74th edition of The Masters, the tradition unlike any other is wide-open.

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Since experience plays such a critical role in winning this event, first-timers and infrequent participants must be discounted, yet they populate a solid chunk of those playing exceptionally well entering the week. Tack on that the recent course set-ups at Augusta National have benefited ball-strikers, particularly those that split fairways. That alone will go more than halfway to explaining why someone outside the top 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking could be slipping on the Green Jacket on Sunday. A hot putter will likely finish the summary.

Unseasonably warm temperatures will linger through Wednesday before showers cool everyone during the opening round. That's the only threat of inclement weather.

It might not hit 80 degrees during the tournament, and the weekend is shaping up to provide a payoff of those that have invested in 3DTVs. Nothing but sunshine is expected after the cut.

Power Rankings: The Masters

Rank Player   Comment Retief GOOSEN The two-time runner-up here (2002, 2007) has had one of the steadiest seasons without a victory, with five top 6s in seven starts. He's in the top 45 in fairways hit, greens hit and putting. Also 24th in total driving. Steve STRICKER Might have been higher had he not shot 79-74 to close out Bay Hill two weeks ago. Hoping the week off gave him the necessary time to recharge. Had just four holes over par en route to a T6 here last year. Lee WESTWOOD Co-led the field with birdies (20) in Texas last week. Has just one top 10 in 10 Masters starts, but enters as one of the most consistent of those with experience at Augusta National. Seeking redemption from close calls at '08 U.S. and '09 British Opens. Tiger WOODS The intangibles that only he can feel will give way to the competitive juices. And because he's not injured, there's no reason to believe that he won't execute. He's not No. 1 here because his peers have earned the space above from their play this year. Ernie ELS Although admirable, I'm not sure anything was gained by playing in Houston. He would have been No. 1 on this list with a deserved week off, instead of posting a forgettable T44. Still, he's the only multiple winner on the PGA TOUR this season. Padraig HARRINGTON That was an ugly way to end the Shell Houston Open -- Sunday 77 -- but the overall trend is impressive. He probably doesn't find the short grass enough to have a realistic chance of winning, but there is no substitute for his grit and will. Matt KUCHAR This is his first trip since 2002, which makes him the highest-rated here of the relative strangers to Augusta National. Four top 10s in nine starts this year, including a T8 in Houston. Ranks second in the overall ranking. Anthony KIM Like a box of chocolates. Finished last in fairways hit en route to winning the Shell Houston Open. Was also T50 in greens in regulation last week. Just his second start in the Masters (T20, 2009). He absolutely must find fairways this week. Jim FURYK Lack of distance (186th on TOUR) requires him to tear it up on the greens at Augusta National. His T10 in '09 is the only top 10 in his last five starts here, but he rolls in with renewed confidence after winning the Transitions, even if no one saw it. Charl SCHWARTZEL Edges out Edoardo Molinari and Justin Leonard here. He's a first-timer but he's already shown that he can compete on challenging courses in the U.S., with a runner-up at Doral and T3 at Redstone. Shot 67-67 on the weekend in Houston, best in the field.