The American media has taken to describing it as a three-peat, Tiger Woods quest for a third successive US Masters title at Augusta National. Only two players, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo have been in a position to win a hat-trick of Masters' titles and neither managed the feat.
The Golden Bear missed the cut in his third year while Faldo finished five shots behind Ian Woosnam, the Welshman prevailing that year. Woods is a very short-priced favourite and deservedly so but there may be better value were he to shoot a mediocre first round. At 13 to 8 best price with Boyles, he's a little short for the casual punter.
Even if he was five shots or so off the pace after the cut, he still possesses the ability to rip the course and probably the field apart. Davis Love's victory in the Players Championship at Sawgrass saw him shoot a spectacular 64 in the final round in extremely testing conditions over a tough golf course.
Augusta suits Love's game, long (if a little wayward), a good iron player and a decent touch on the greens and he seems to have rediscovered his appetite. He's in form but still a little short on value at 14 to 1 (Supreme, Boyles). Ernie Els would have been an even shorter price (10 to 1, Supreme, good value) had it not been for his punch bag faux pas.
The South Africa had a phenomenal start to the year but his damaged thumb may still be a hindrance. Phil Mickelson recently celebrated the birth of his third child and while his form this season is nothing to write home about, the Arizona resident is a course and distance specialist in picking his way through the azaleas.
He hasn't won yet but has been sniffing around the winner's enclosure and providing the driver behaves reasonably and his concentration doesn't wander on the short putts, he has the game to win it. At 20 to 1 (Powers, Ladbrokes, Supreme) he is a longer price than he has been for quite a while at the Masters.
Retief Goosen (28 to 1, general), Jim Furyk (33 to 1, Supreme) and Chris di Marco (50 to 1, Supreme) will have their supporters while the American tyro Charles Howell (50 to 1) also has the game for the Georgia venue.
Augusta is not the place for rookies and it takes about four of five Masters before players begin to understand and cope with the demands of the place. A couple of veterans could prove a bit of each way value. Fred Couples (100 to 1, Boyles) is showing a return to form in recent months and the former Green jacket holder won't have a problem with the pressure. Whether his game will stand up to four rounds scrutiny is another thing but at those odds he's worth a few cent.
So too, David Duval (100 to 1, general) another who knows the white heat of a Sunday battle at the Masters. We know he hasn't been playing well for a while but Augusta is like a pair of comfy slippers to some players.
The bookmakers don't think much about the chances of some former champions: Bernhard Langer (125 to 1, Powers), Jose Maria Olazabal (125 to 1, Powers), Nick Faldo (100 to 1, Ladbrokes) of Mark O'Meara (150 to 1 Powers).
Those seeking an each way punt could do worse than support the Argentinian slugger Angel Cabrera (100 to 1) who boasts a couple of fine performances at Augusta or the American John Huston.
And what of the Irish challenge? Forget about Padraig Harrington's woes in the BellSouth, he's in brilliant form and as he proved last year has mental toughness to hang in there. He should have learnt from that (joint fifth) experience. Darren Clarke is also striking the ball well but whether he can stay patient for 72 holes is another thing. Some loose shots can cripple you round Augusta.
