Since Billy Payne's aim as chairman of Augusta National is to grow the game globally, here's each continent's best chance to put on the green jacket that comes with winning the Masters:
AFRICA: Ernie Els The big South African finally seems comfortable with his swing after years of frustration. He's won back-to-back tournaments this season with two additional top 10s and two more top 25s. Before this season, he had just one win in the previous five years, causing some to forget that Els already has three majors to his credit. He has six top-10 finishes at the Masters. Two to watch: Retief Goosen (South Africa), Rory Sabbatini (South Africa).
ASIA: Y.E. Yang After he beat Tiger Woods to win last year's PGA Championship at Hazeltine, who's to say the South Korean can't win the Masters? He has one top-10 finish this season and three more top 25s. He's dangerous because he's long (292.4 yards per drive) and accurate (63.46 percent fairways hit) off the tee. Plus, he hits almost 70 percent of the greens in regulation. One to watch: Ryuji Imada (Japan).
AUSTRALIA: Geoff Ogilvy When the Aussie can find the fairway, he's a contender. Unfortunately, he's finding the short grass just 54 percent of the time this year. But he can scramble (70 percent greens in regulation) and putt (28.63 putts per round). If he can find Augusta's fairways, he could be among the leaders on Sunday. He's also very tough against tough fields, posting two wins in World Golf events the past three years. Two to watch: Robert Allenby, Marc Leishman.
EUROPE: Paul Casey The Englishman is magic with the flat stick this year, averaging a third-best 1.703 strokes per hole on tour. Augusta demands an all-around game, but those who can putt are in much better shape than those who can hit the ball 350 yards off the tee. He hasn't won this year, but he has one second-place finish and three top 10s. Three to watch: Ian Poulter (England), Luke Donald (England), Padraig Harrington (Ireland).
NORTH AMERICA: Stewart Cink Though his scoring average is higher than the tour's (70.93), Cink knows what it takes to win majors after rallying to win the last year's British Open. His troubles this season can be traced to a putting average of 29.68 per round, 130th on tour. However, he still has two top 10s this season. A metro Atlanta resident and Georgia Tech grad. Four to watch: Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Phil Mickelson.
SOUTH AMERICA: Camilo Villegas The Colombian was never able to figure out Augusta National until last year. Now he could be among the leaders on Sunday because not only is he putting well (28.86 ppr) but he's bombing the ball off the tee (297.7 ypd). He has one win, a third, another top 10 and a top 25 this year in the four events in which he's made the cut. So, when he's on, he's on. One to watch: Angel Cabrera (Argentina).
ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
