Can Ernie face down the Tiger?

Tiger Woods has had to endure public humiliation and intense scrutiny after his extramarital affairs and he has had to answer scores of questions by the media on that infamous crash close to his residence that took place in November last year. But the ultimate question this week will be asked by Augusta, the host of the Masters tournament (the first Grand Slam event of the year) as well as by South Africa’s Ernie Els.

Will Woods, after his self-imposed absence of close to five months, bounce back  to win this Grand Slam a fifth time?

Woods, the number-one golfer in the world, has finished outside the top three at Augusta only once in the past five years.

He has 14 majors to his credit, and after returning in 2009 after an absence of nine months due to a knee injury, he won seven titles – a remarkable comeback.

One of his greatest challengers would be South African, Ernie Els, who missed the cut in the past three tournaments at Augusta.

He was runner-up in 2000 and 2004, but has never worn the Green Jacket as have his countrymen Gary Player and Trevor Immelman.

Yet, recent victories at the CA Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where Els was in red-hot form with his short game, has given his fans some hope that this could be his breakthrough year at Augusta.

Player, considered one of the very best players of all time, told "Rapport": “In spite of all his problems, I have never lost faith in Ernie, and I believe he will win it this year.

“He has a better chance than ever. He looks happy, his frustrations with his form are something of the past, and he is putting the way a major champion should be.

“I am not a gambler, but last year I betted R3 500 on Ernie, and then he missed the cut,” added Player.

Truth is, some former champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros believe that Woods can do it again.

Player has his doubts. He said no player can do well at Augusta after being out of competitive golf for so long. And even if he hits his straps early, Woods simply does not seem very happy. His recent problems could dominate his mind, said Player.

Woods is Woods, though. He has the ability to focus, and the criticism he faced from the public and fellow golfers may just strengthen his resolve and make him more determined than ever to succeed.

Phil Mickelson, champion in 2004 and 2006, looks another good bet for the Green Jacket.

Yet, South Africans would be vocal in their support of Els, a three-time Grand Slam winner (twice in the US Open and once, in 2002, at the British Open).

Els suffered a severe bout of self-doubt and battled for two years to break his winning drought. His new-found self-confidence, his putting form and his renewed vigour may just be the missing formulas he requires finally to conquer the Augusta monster.

Els only reached one of the final four greens in regulation at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, yet won the tournament by two shots, thereby conquering some of his inner demons.

“If I would have failed there, the psychological scar would have neutralised all the hard work of the preceding months,” Els told "Rapport".

In 2008 and 2009, "The Big Easy" simply failed to convert on the greens. His putting was below par. “I cannot recall when last I felt so comfortable with the putting than right now,” Els said.

Many golf critics have compared Els to Greg Norman, a man who has choked his way to defeats when glory beckoned in majors. Yet, Els has had a remarkable career, being among the top 10 in the world for 730 straight weeks – more than any other golfer in the history of the game.

His fluent style and his impeccable swing have won him over with millions of fans around the globe. He is a true global icon with an astonishing record.

He is too good a player to be denied Masters glory, and 2010 may be his year. If he can only conquer the Tiger in the Augusta woods…