2009 Masters: Top 5 Golfers Who Could Claim the Green Jacket

With the first Major of the year set to kick off on Thursday, two questions linger: 1) Will Tiger Woods put on his 5th green jacket and inch ever closer to Jack Nicklaus' Major wins record? and 2) If not Tiger, then who? Here's a list of the top 5 (including Tiger) contenders for the 2009 Master's.

1. Tiger Woods - Tiger is potentially the best golfer ever. Since 2001, Tiger has won three and was a runner up in the past two. The major concern is how he will respond coming off of his knee surgery, though if his win two weeks ago at Bay Hill is any indication, his knee will be a non-factor. Tiger has been improving as he's played his past three tournaments, so ultimately the question remains as to whether it was enough.

2. Phil Mickelson - Mickelson is a bit of an up and down player. When he's good, he's nearly unbeatable, but when he's down, it makes one wonder how he could ever have won at all. Certainly his struggles in Houston last weekend did not help. At the same time, Lefty can't be counted out seeing as how he is the world's second ranked player. He is a past champion and is not scared to play with Tiger. The key to his success will be whether he can stay on the fairway.

3. Padraig Harrington - Harrington does not have a good history at the Master's, but he's won the past two majors and three of the last six. He at least has the chance to be in contention, though, his margin for error is much slimmer than Tiger or Mickelson. Harrington's story may be more compelling because he has a chance to continue a possible Majors grand slam.

4. Retief Goosen - Goosen finished second at last year's Master's and has been inconsistent since. However, Goosen has reworked his swing and it is possible for things to fall together at just the right moment for him. Goosen finished in the top three for the past three Master's, so he also has the emotional motivation to get over the hump.

5. Anthony Kim - The past two Master's winners have been somewhat of wildcards. This year's wildcard could be Kim. This is Kim's first Master's, but he is either cocky enough to deal with the pressures or not mature enough to realize them. Still, Kim has played well in recent years, and he is a part of a younger generation that isn't as intimidated by Woods as the older generation.

Sources:

Brent Kelley, "Men's Majors - Most Victories", About.com
"Masters past champions", Espn.com
"Woods Dominating Build-Up To Masters", Ireland.com
Shane Bacon, "Phil Should Forget About Houston", Golf Fanhouse
Bob Harig, "Paddy Slam isn't priority for Harrington", Espn.com
David Westin, "Goosen wants change to pay off", Augusta.com
"Kim ready to win in debut" Straits Times.com