Ernie Els remains a superstar of golf, but is still flying under the radar somewhat ahead of the Masters Tournament this year.
This is the South African's 18th attempt to win at Augusta National and nobody has ever done it after waiting so long. Mark O'Meara holds the record at 15.
As the World Number 13, though, it is surely too soon to dismiss his chances - especially when you recall that between 2000, the year he was runner-up to Vijay Singh, and 2004, when he lost by one to Phil Mickelson's closing birdie, Els was never outside the top six.
The 41 year old then had three missed cuts in a row from 2007 and last April was 18th after winning on two of his three previous starts in America.
This season he tees off, though, without a top-ten finish all year and admitting "it hasn't really come together as well as I would have liked."
In his website diary Els says: "I've played some good stuff in patches, but I haven't had the consistency that you need in order to get right in the mix.
"I'll try to carry a relaxed mindset all the way through into Thursday's first round and just try to enjoy the experience rather than obsessing about winning.
"I've tried everything over the years and I think now this is the best approach for me.
"There is magic about this place that never seems to fade. To win here I feel like it would make my career complete.
"I'd have liked to be coming in here with a bit more game, but it is what it is.
"I'm excited and looking forward to the challenge, as I always do, and if I can get the putter going things can turn around in this game pretty quickly.
"You just never know. All I can do is continue to work hard and prepare as best I can.
"It's going to be a very interesting championship and potentially one of the most open Masters in the last ten years or so.
"Phil (Mickelson) is obviously the favourite, even before he won at the weekend, but the way the world of golf has gone over the last couple of years there are just so many guys that have come through."
