AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Tiger and Rory.
Have you heard enough of those two names in the lead-up to this week’s Masters?
If you have listened to the “experts,” you undoubtedly have been led to believe that no player other than Woods and McIlroy has a prayer to have the Green Jacket slipped over his shoulders as the 2012 Masters champion.
The headline in one national sports magazine previewing the Masters screamed: “Two Man Game.’’
The cover of a golf magazine featured an artistic rendering of Woods and McIlroy as boxers on a poster, portraying them as the main event at the Masters, which starts Thursday.
AP
DON’T FORGET US: Even though the likes of Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald are stars in their own right, they have been overshadowed this week by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
There are other prominent players in the field this week who take umbrage to the notion that there are only two horses in this race.
“It’s not a two-man tournament,’’ Adam Scott, a runner-up last year, said. “It’s a good story for everyone to write about. There is no doubt Rory has elevated himself. And now Tiger winning a tournament again kind of validates [himself] — as if he needed to validate anything to anyone.’’
Lee Westwood, whose personality is a blend of cynical humor, acerbic and feisty, reminded reporters: “Rory has never won here and Tiger has not won here since 2005.’’
“So,’’ Westwood went on, “I think everybody in this room would have to be naïve to think it is a two-horse race, wouldn’t they? I think Phil [Mickelson] might have a little bit to say about that. Luke [Donald] might. And I might.’’
Mickelson, who has one fewer Green Jacket in his closet (three) than Woods (four) and has won two of them (2006 and 2010) since the last time Woods was fitted (2005), didn’t flinch when asked about not being included in the pre-tournament talk as one of the top favorites along with Woods and McIlroy.
“I’m cool with it,” Mickelson said. “I don’t have a problem with it. I am where I am and I’m fine with it.”
Donald is the No. 1 player in the world based on the computer rankings, but because he’s never won a major, he’s not truly considered on the same level as Woods and McIlroy.
“Obviously, Tiger is always the guy that pushes the needle the most and Rory is getting a lot of attention now, but for me that’s probably a good thing,’’ Donald said. “I can kind of go about my business and get on with things.’’
Geoff Ogilvy finished in a tie for fourth last year and isn’t ready to hand the title to Woods or McIlroy.
“Most guys that are coming here, the ones who are competitive, are coming here to try to win the golf tournament,” Ogilvy said. “They don’t see the tournament as Rory versus Tiger.
“But I think most people would say that if we want to win this tournament we have to beat Rory and Tiger. I don’t think they’re the whole show, but you have to beat them to win. You assume they are going to be in the picture with nine holes to play [Sunday].’’
Exhibit A in support of the argument against the two-horse-race theory is defending champion Charl Schwartzel, the nondescript South African who came from nowhere to steal the Masters last year when he birdied the last four holes in the final round.
There were as many words written about Schwartzel in the days leading up to last year’s Masters and through the first three rounds as there are women members at Augusta National.
The fact is, for all the big names who have been favored to win the Masters during the last five years, there have been more surprise winners than favorites — unless you claim you expected Zach Johnson (2007), Trevor Immelman (2008), Angel Cabrera (2009) or Schwartzel to win Green Jackets.
“The people who say there are only a half-dozen or a dozen guys who can win are you guys,’’ Johnson said, referring to the media. “My year is a perfect example. I was not one of the dozen guys that anyone thought would win.’’
Said Scott: “Someone can come up and surprise, and hopefully that’s me.’’
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
Tiger Woods, Tiger, Woods, Rory McIlroy, Green Jacket, Green Jacket, Luke Donald, the Masters
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