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If you were out and about last Sunday, you would have smelled it in the air. If you had to sniff the air a few times to recognize the smell, you would have been forgiven. After all, it has been a while since it's been around, what with all the nonsense weather we've had this winter.

What that smell was, of course, was Spring. It was in the air this past Sunday and I know I speak for all of us when I say it was a welcome change from the wind, rain and cold that we've had thrown at us week after week for what seems an eternity. But there it was on Sunday for all to enjoy - some sunshine, a light breeze and the beautiful sound of birds chirping.

If you were paying close attention, you would have sensed another aroma mixed in with the smell of Spring. This other aroma is one that makes every golfer's mouth water with excitement and anticipation. In short, it is what every competitive golfer looks forward to every year.

In a few weeks time, the world's best players will make their way to the little town of Augusta, Georgia where they will compete on one of the world's best golf courses for one of the world's most prestigious trophies, a green jacket. Well, the jacket may not exactly be the trophy but it is the symbol and it is the most important piece of clothing to golfers the world over.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that the winner of the 2010 Masters will be one Eldrick Woods. Yes, I think Tiger will be in the field and will win yet another Master's. Let's face it, the golf course was pretty much made for Tiger and if he is in the field, the others will play for second place.

Let me be clear, I'm not thrilled with Tiger's indiscretions, and I think he has treated his wife, children, sponsors and everybody else terribly. However, no matter how many bad decisions he has made in his past, they cannot be undone and making yet another bad decision not to play would be foolish.

Frankly, I can't see anybody else rising to the occasion. Sure, Poulter won the Match Play, Villegas has played well for several weeks, Stricker, Haas, Mahan, Johnson and Crane have all won this year, but I do not see any of them as a Master's champion.

There is, of course, Phil to consider but maybe he is working just a little too hard on his putting?

Sergio could win but, in big events, he claims to be playing against more than just the field. Ernie should have won a Master's jacket by now and now perhaps it's too late.

For anybody to beat Tiger, he would have to be long, strong and determined. There actually might be two words that fit this bill and they are pronounced Rory McIlroy.

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