Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has said he's in Augusta this week to win the Masters - no matter what Ian Poulter or anyone else thinks of his chances.
Poulter said that he does not expect to see golf's former number one - now ranked only seventh - to finish in the top five as he has done five of the last six years.
"The shots he was hitting at Doral (Woods came 10th at the WGC-Cadillac Championship four weeks ago) they were very inconsistent," said the English Ryder Cup star.
"You can't afford to hit shots like that round this golf course and get away with it."
But Woods, without a win now for almost 17 months and also in the process of changing his swing again, gave a sharp response to Poulter's prediction when asked on Tuesday.
"Well, Poulter is always right, isn't he?" the 14-time major winner replied.
"My whole idea is to try to win the golf tournament
and that's what I'm trying to do.
and that's what I'm trying to do."My whole idea is to prepare. I've prepared all year to peak four times a year and that has not changed, and that's what I'm trying to do."
On whether he felt ready to take a fifth green jacket Woods simply nodded and replied: "Mm-hmm."
Then, when asked what part of his game was ready, he smiled and said: "Everything."
Belief
Woods was similarly terse when asked by a reporter whether the golf world had seen the best of him yet.
"No," he responded and when asked to expand, he said: "Well, I believe in myself.
"There's nothing wrong with believing in myself. God, I hope you guys feel the same way about yourselves.
"You know, that's the whole idea. That you can always become better."
Woods also insists he does not mind not being the favourite any more.
"Doesn't matter. Favourites don't win the tournament - you still have to play, right?" he added.
"We all have an opportunity. Everyone has the same opportunity as I do, so just got to go out there and play and see where it adds up."
The last top-five finish Woods had was in December at the Chevron World Challenge in California. He led by four with a round to go, but lost in a play-off to US Open champion Graeme McDowell.
The Northern Irishman will be one of his two playing partners this week - the pair joined by Australian Robert Allenby, who played with Woods at Doral last month.
who played with Woods at Doral last month.It was there that McDowell said "it's pretty tough not to giggle" after witnessing Woods smother hook a driver that went 122 yards rather than the expected 300-plus.
He also skied a drive that travelled just 188 yards.
Woods still managed a closing 66 there for 10th place, but was only 24th at Bay Hill in his one outing since then.
in his one outing since then.
