US Masters 
/ Paul Krishnamurty / 28 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Is Tiger a fading force, or is he slowly tuning his game up?
"Given the stellar form of his main rivals over the past few weeks, it is becoming impossible to justify Tiger's status as joint-favourite for the Masters."
With the first big event of 2012 completed and just five weeks until the Masters, what did we learn from the World Matchplay? Paul Krishnamurty weighs up the performances and progress of the big-names.
Tiger Woods is a false favourite for Augusta
Time is running out for Tiger to re-assert his credentials, before his supporters give up on him ever recapturing the glory days. Prior to the World Matchplay, he'd looked in decent enough nick, but lacking the confidence and ruthlessness in contention that made him the greatest ever. At Dove Mountain, Woods looked all at sea, lucky to beat Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano before losing in the last-16, without Nick Watney having to produce his best golf. Given the stellar form of his main rivals over the past few weeks, it is becoming impossible to justify Tiger's status as joint-favourite for the Masters.
Rory McIlroy seems certain to contend
In contrast, co-favourite Rory keeps improving and is becoming impossible to keep out of the frame. McIlroy wasn't at his best over the whole week at Dove Mountain, and doesn't look particularly well suited to matchplay, yet still reached the final. Most encouraging was how he upped his game when presented with the definitive test of a semi-final against Lee Westwood. Even despite a persistently poor conversion ratio, in-play punters keep being rewarded for backing Rory pre-tournament, with Sunday's second place his tenth top-five finish in 11 starts. It would take a brave man to lay [8.2] for Augusta under the circumstances.
Lee Westwood still can't shed his 'nearly man' reputation
A similar point could be made about Lee Westwood's in-running credentials, but it is doubtful the Worksop Wonder will take any consolation from that. He was extremely frustrated after failing to finish off the Dubai Desert Classic recently, and must have come away from Arizona wondering what he has to do in order to win a big, career-defining title. His golf was peerless for the first four rounds, yet remains without either a Major or World Golf Championship to his name.
Luke Donald's world number one status looks extremely shaky
The biggest surprise of the week was defending champion Luke Donald's opening day trouncing at the hands of Ernie Els, continuing a terrible start to the season. Granted it's early days but following on from 48th and 56th place finishes, Donald is so far unrecognisable from the ultra-consistent character who dominated last season. Perhaps the pressure of being world number one is getting to him, or perhaps 2011 was just as good as it will ever get for Luke. Either way, his Masters credentials are fading fast.
Hunter Mahan is rapidly becoming a big tournament specialist
Lets take nothing away from the new World Matchplay champion. That was Mahan's second WGC title, adding to the 2010 Bridgestone Invitational, and confirms this superb ball-striker has the game for big occasions on championship courses. At the current odds of [46.0], there are worse bets for the Masters, especially as his course record takes the eye. It usually takes several attempts to learn Augusta's secrets, and Hunter has already made an impression with top-tens in 2009 and 2010. The next will be his fifth attempt as a pro, which is just about the right length of apprenticeship.
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