Tiger readies for first prowl

Tiger Woods will launch his bid for a 14th major title in the company of US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina...

Tiger Woods will launch his bid for a 14th major title in the company of US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Australia8217;s Stuart Appleby at the US Masters.

A four-times winner of the year8217;s opening Major, Woods is scheduled to tee off at 10:45 am local time in Thursday8217;s opening round at Augusta National Golf Club.

8220;I8217;m looking forward to this week,8221; the American world number one said after practice on Tuesday.

8220;It8217;s our first Major and the golf course is a little soft right now but I8217;m sure it will speed up come Thursday. Overall, this golf course, as usual, is in pristine shape.8221;

Overwhelming favourite to claim the title for a fifth time, Woods has been virtually unstoppable this year, winning his first four tournaments before finishing fifth at last month8217;s WGC-CA Championship in Miami.

8220;It8217;s just another week,8221; said Woods, who has triumphed nine times in 11 starts worldwide since last August. 8220;You8217;ve got to be focused and ready to come on Thursday and get everything going the right way.8221;

Twice Masters champion Phil Mickelson has been drawn with Argentina8217;s Andres Romero and KJ Choi of South Korea for the first two rounds. Fijian Vijay Singh, who won the 2000 Masters, will tee off with Americans Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink one group in front of Mickelson and company.

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First off following a ceremonial tee shot by golfing great Arnold Palmer will be 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis and fellow American Shaun Micheel, winner of the 2003 PGA Championship.

Mickelson takes tips

World number two Phil Mickelson has taken two pages out of top-ranked Tiger Woods8217;s book.

Mickelson switched to Woods8217;s former coach Butch Harmon last year and, to take best advantage of swing changes geared to improving his accuracy, has hit the gym and emerged a trimmer challenger to the super-fit Woods.

8220;I8217;ve worked out a little bit,8221; Mickelson said on Tuesday when asked about his new lean look. 8220;You know, there8217;s no shortcut,8221; he added.