The Masters begins at Augusta National in Georgia today. There is a huge South African contingent taking place, reflecting our prowess at golf. Out of approximately 90 competitors from all over the world 8 are coming from South Africa. Last year Louis Oosthuizen lost in a play-off and Charl Schwartzel of Blair Atholl won the tournament two years ago. Another South African has also won it in the past decade, namely Trevor Immelman.

One hopes with 8 players in the final field that by the time they get down to the final 9 holes on Sunday evening, a South African is in contention. I would not be surprised to see Tiger Woods win the tournament because he has been in fantastic form early in the year, but his former coach said that of all the majors, the course at Augusta National suits him the least because it is set up for a draw, which is a ball that moves right to left through the air whereas Tiger specialises in a power fade, which is a ball that moves from left to right in the air and which can be a bit of a problem when almost every hole bends or turns from right to left. Of the South Africans I think that Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have the best chance and are in fabulous form at the moment, and to win my money would be on Tiger Woods, who I think will finish ahead of Rory McIlroy.