Martin Kaymer believes his climb to Number 2 in the world rankings does little to assist him win this week's World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play, because any of the world's top 64 are capable of landing the title in Tucson.
Kaymer was the top seed in the Ben Hogan bracket last year, but went out in the second round to Tim Clark of South Africa.
And the 26 year old, who has since won the US PGA Championship and Race to Dubai, believes golf's current strength in depth makes for plenty of potential upsets.
"Maybe ten, 15 years ago it may have made a difference if you were number one or number 64 in the World Rankings," said Kaymer, who faces Korea's Noh Seung-yul in the opening round.
"But these days I don't think it will make any difference. If you play against number one or against number 64 or in our case this year, 65th, it doesn't make any difference. And if he's from Korea, from Sweden, from England, from America, it doesn't really matter.
"I'm looking forward to the week. My record is not great here in match play, but, you know, obviously what happened last year and at the Ryder Cup and the tournaments that I've played, especially after the Ryder Cup, winning a few more, winning Abu Dhabi three or four weeks ago gives me a little more confidence and a little bit more motivation and belief that I can play well and win here."
Last year seven European Tour Members featured in the last eight, before Ian Poulter overcame Paul Casey in an all-European final.
And Kaymer admits national pride is at stake as much as personal glory this week.
"I'm representing myself. And I belong to both, obviously more to Germany. I would say I'm playing more for Germany," he added.
Defending champion Poulter was in full agreement with his Ryder Cup teammate that there were no easy games as the world's best players descend on Arizona.
"You're going to see some upsets tomorrow," he added. "You're also going to see some guys get through shooting one or two over par. You just have to beat your opponent. Whether it's Westwood, whether it's someone further down the rank action, you just have to play your game and hopefully that's good enough."
