Woods in bullish mood

Defending Masters champion Trevor Immelman says of Tiger Woods: “Whether he’s human or not is still up for debate.”

If Woods wins a fifth green jacket at Augusta National on Sunday even more people will be inclined to agree with the South African – and certainly the rest of the field will be green with envy.

Nothing the world number one does might ever match his achievement in winning the US Open last June on one good leg, but after taking eight months off to have the bad one repaired he is seen as the man to beat again.

And that despite Ireland’s Padraig Harrington having won the last two majors and world number two Phil Mickelson winning two of his last four events.

Woods threw down the gauntlet somewhat after being reminded that last year he came to Augusta after saying a Grand Slam was “easily within reason for him”.

Finishing runner-up to Immelman ended that for 2008, but his left knee was bad then and now that he has full confidence in it again – plus a win at Bay Hill two weeks ago in his third event back – he feels no need to rule out the possibility for 2009.