Strong contenders at US Masters

WHEN next week's edition of the US Masters tees off, this year's first major will be missing a player who had his greatest victory at Augusta back in 1997 in a record-breaking performance where he won the tournament by 12 strokes. Tiger Woods, who went on to win again in 2001, 2002 and 2005, withdrew from the 2014 tournament recently as a result of back problems - a herniated disc was pressing against a nerve, causing pain and spasms. This week saw him undergo surgery for a pinched nerve, meaning that the world number one will have to wait for an opportunity to add to his major haul of 14 victories and his first since the US Open back in 2008. It will also be the first time since 1995 that he has not played in the Augusta event.

A statement on his website stated, "Woods will begin intensive rehabilitation and soft-tissue treatment within a week. Healing and recovery times differ for each individual based on many physiological factors but Woods could begin chipping and putting, after assessment by his doctors, in three weeks."

Woods is not the only one suffering from injuries, with another two in the world's top 10 having faced discomfort in the past few weeks. Compatriot Phil Mickelson, who has won this tournament three times (2004, 2006 and 2010) and is hoping for another victory in another "even" year, is recovering from a pulled muscle in his side after pulling out of last week's Texas Open. The world number five, however, is currently competing in the Houston Open where he shot a first round four-under 68. This is the lead-up tournament to this year's US Masters: Mickelson has confirmed his participation at Augusta next week.