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Five 'others' to watch at The Masters
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            For just a moment, let's forget about Tiger, Phil, and even Padraig Harrington. Those guys will likely be in the mix come Sunday afternoon at Augusta, but here are five other names to look out for as the weekend progresses.

 

The 'Best of the Rest'

            Sergio Garcia — Mickelson relinquished his title as 'best player to never win a major' by winning the Masters in 2004, and that moniker now belongs to Garcia. The 10-year Augusta veteran has never finished the Masters higher than fourth, but with a second-place finish at the 2008 PGA Championship, Garcia is fully seasoned in major Sundays. Off to a shaky start in 2009, a green jacket would silence all critics.

 

Off the Radar

            Rory Sabbatini — He won the Par 3 contest in 2008, so of course he had no shot of winning the Masters (no Par 3 champion has ever won the main event). In 2007 he finished tied for second at Augusta, and he once boldly proclaimed, "Tiger Woods is as beatable as ever". But now, Sabbatini has fallen amongst the crowd, and if someone in the 'Zach Johnson-Trevor Immelman' mold wins again, Sabbatini could be the guy.

 

The Frontrunner

            Justin Rose — In just four starts at the Masters, Rose has held or shared the first round lead on three occasions (2004, '07, '08). Now, if the new dad (he had a son on February 21) can string those rounds together, 2009 could be his year.

 

The Wily Veteran

            Fred Couples — In 2008 he broke his streak of 23 consecutive cuts made at the Masters, but the soon-to-be-senior (Couples turns 50 October 3) has charged into 2009. With two top-3 finishes to his credit, the 1992 champion would instantly become a crowd favorite if he made the Sunday leaderboard.

 

The Youngster

            Rory McIlroy — Actually, McIlroy is the oldest of the trio of teenagers (Ryo Ishikawa, Danny Lee) playing in Augusta this week, but this 19-year-old probably has the best shot to win. Already a winner this year on tour at Dubai, Mcllroy says he would "relish" a final grouping with Tiger on Sunday. If he got his chance and emerged victorious, he would break Woods' record as "youngest player to win the Masters."