Beware of the Tiger

As if Sunday at the Masters isn't enough to get golf enthusiasts excited, play will extend throughout the day due to Saturday's inclement weather. Torrential rain suspended play for several hours today forcing the leaders with the late tee times to play partial rounds. The last men to tee off, Chad Campbell and Rocco Mediate, only played four holes which leaves them with 32 to play on Sunday. When play resumed, players seemed to be relatively unaffected by the conditions. Most of the leaders played in the red in their shortened rounds, but there is a lot of golf to play on Sunday.

The leaderboard is stacked at the top, with all of the big five at two under or better. Campbell still remains at the top, but with only a one stroke lead on Mediate and Tim Clark. His bigger problems lay at three under with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods looming. Mickelson has played well this week, but has cost himself strokes on the greens. His dominating performance at the Bell South last weekend and his solid play this weekend makes him a real legitimate threat going in to Sunday. However, the tournament feels like it is swaying in Tiger's direction. He had several nice up and downs today to save par and send him further in to the red. Through nine Tiger was two under on the day and constantly demonstrating why he is the man to beat. He did not strike the ball particularly well today, but made big saves from the sand and recovered from poor approach shots. Although he is three back, it looks like Tiger will take the green jacket for a fifth time.

While Sunday appears to be shaping up for a classic Phil versus Tiger showdown, there are several other players who could win. Chad Campbell does hold the advantage at this point, but 32 holes in one day and a Tiger chasing him should wear him out. The same goes for Mediate, who's played solid throughout the tournament but could get worn down by a long Sunday. Tim Clark looked very solid on Saturday and at one back could be an interesting sleeper pick. Fellow countrymen, and members of the big five, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els loom at two under. As Jim Nance astutely observed today, Els' lingering knee injury could cause problems in an extended Sunday round. Goosen's game should be lifted by his pairing with Woods, and could stick around late in the day. The last member of the big five, Vijay Singh, has been killed by his short stick. Known for his troubles with the putter, Singh's poor play on the greens will hurt his chances. The same goes for southpaw Mike Weir who has hit his irons tremendously well but has been attrocious on the greens. If the weather continues to be an issue, look for Miguel Angel Jimenez to be a factor. He shot three under through 17 to put himself in to contention and has a reputation of performing under adverse conditions.

Sunday is shaping up to be a classic from Augusta. With all of the big five in contention, along with U.S fan favorite Fred Couples, it should be a great day of golf. My money's on Tiger, but then again, who ever bets against him. I'd love to see Fred Couples, who is sitting just four strokes back at two under, make a push. However, it does not seem likely. Look for Tiger to put on the jacket in a teary ceremony amidst his father's ongoing health issues.