Masters 2018: How Augusta major is shaping up to be a classic

Ian Poulter’s most timely victory in Houston put the perfect exclamation mark on an extraordinary build-up to this week’s Masters.

Rarely has there been more excitement before the journey that takes the world’s top golfers down Magnolia Lane to the verdant yet capricious pastures of the Augusta National.

Week after week has generated a captivating storyline this year, particularly when viewed through the prism of the first men’s major of the year. On Sunday in Texas, Poulter sensationally grabbing the last available Masters spot was entirely in keeping.

This was especially the case considering his dramatic backstory. The passionate Englishman thought his Augusta chances had been dashed with quarter-final defeat at the WGC Match Play, which left him 51st in the world and one place away from Masters qualification.

Yet the man they love to call “the postman” delivered in spectacular style to make the sudden-death play-off against Beau Hossler.

Poulter held his nerve at the first extra hole and suddenly it was next stop Augusta, where he joins a field of in-form golfing thoroughbreds hell-bent on getting the job done to secure a landmark major win.

Take your pick from Rory McIlroy seeking to complete the career grand slam, Tiger Woods contending for a 15th major, Phil Mickelson trying to become the oldest Masters winner or Bubba Watson vying for a third Green Jacket.

All four have put together bodies of work this season that justify their claims to be considered among the favourites.

There was McIlroy’s timely win at Bay Hill three weeks ago, Woods performing above all expectations in collecting two top-five finishes in four starts, the 47-year-old Mickelson triumphed in Mexico and Watson collected his second title of the year at the WGC Match Play.

But then consider the claims of world number two Justin Thomas. The United States’ player of the year in 2017 won the recent Honda Classic and has not been out of the top four in his past three events.

After a largely indifferent start to the year, Jordan Spieth is suddenly trending nicely. The Open champion finished third in Houston, a decent fillip as he heads to the scene of his first major triumph back in 2015.

Spieth’s Masters record – second, first, second and 11th – mark out the 24-year-old American as an Augusta specialist.

Yet 30 years on from Scot Sandy Lyle becoming the first British winner of a Green Jacket, the portents for more UK success could hardly be more encouraging. Poulter’s win was the third UK triumph in the past four weeks on the PGA Tour.

Northern Irishman McIlroy was the victor at Bay Hill a week after England’s Paul Casey ended a long winless spell by beating Woods into second place at the Valspar Championship, also in Florida.

With that hurdle overcome, might this be the week for the 40-year-old to make his major breakthrough? His long game and the current sureness of putting touch are made for the Masters.