He may have to swing with one hand this week because too many people are kissing the other. He's everywhere at Augusta National: in the middle of the gallery, on the front page of the paper, and, most of all, banging inside the heads of his competitors like a 4 a.m. wakeup call.

The Masters prides itself on being a cut above the rest, and yet compelling evidence says it could wind up just another routine stop on the Tiger Woods Tour.

Woods comets into this event without feeling the resistance of brakes or a rival. No other golfer is better qualified to win. Nobody brings more momentum. With Woods more focused and frightening than ever, the race for second should be a thriller.

His aura of invincibility is creating a larger presence over the historic course than the giant magnolia trees. At 24 he is the undisputed king of golf, the prohibitive favorite at the Masters, and the player least likely to pull a Greg Norman.

"Any event he plays in is Tiger's event to win," David Duval said. "Not too long ago, that was the case with me."

Has it really been a year ago when Duval, not Woods, caused this kind of stir at Augusta.? Lost somewhere in the rubble of Tigermania is the trampled crown once worn by Duval, whose No. 1 ranking seems older than Arnold Palmer. But it's true: At the start of last year's Masters, there was Duval on the cover of Sports Illustrated, blowing on a smoldering putter, a symbol that reflected his surge through the sport.

His rise to the top was quick and easy. In the months before the Masters, Duval won four titles. He shot a 59, eagling the final hole, at the Bob Hope Classic. He needed only eight starts to set the tour earnings record. At the same time Duval charged into the Masters, there were doubts, amazingly, swirling around Woods.

Things changed, and rather drastically, for both. The Duval Dive began shortly after Augusta, where he tied for sixth. The second half of his year was quiet, saved only by the Ryder Cup win, and he comes to the Masters a few days after finishing 73rd at the BellSouth. Meanwhile, Woods has finished first or second in 10 of his last 11 events. Since Duval's last victory, Woods has 10 tour wins and a firm grip around golf's neck.

In the absence of a rival for Woods, you'd think Duval would be eager to be the buzz again. Except Duval, oddly, seems to want no part of that. He's not sharing the same zip code with Woods, and gives the impression that it's fine with him.

"When I got here, it was like a load had been lifted off of me," Duval said, comparing this year to last. "I feel like I'm a bit more relaxed."

This is precisely what separates Woods from the rest. While Duval and others scamper away from the pressure and responsibility of being No. 1, Woods gravitates toward it. He embraces it, demands it, consumes it like nobody else on tour. Woods would welcome a sudden-death playoff at the Masters, while others would approach with trepidation.

In that sense, Woods is a man on his own island, distanced from the others by a moat slightly smaller than the Pacific. Woods sees any finish but first as a disappointment. It's the same approach embraced by all the greats, especially Jack Nicklaus.

Woods is busy bench-pressing the burden of being the best. Meanwhile, Duval is content and "relaxed" now that he isn't the one being pursued. You tell me: Which one has the attitude a player needs to stay No. 1?

Right now, no one is stepping forward to challenge Woods for the long haul. Sergio Garcia pushed Woods in last year's PGA but remains just a tease until he wins something. Norman, Fred Couples and Nick Faldo are contenders from a previous century. Ernie Els hasn't caused a ripple in two years. Therefore, golf lacks an Andre Agassi for its Pete Sampras. Nicklaus said recently that the distance between Woods and the nearest competitor is wider than what he had. Even at his best, Nicklaus could always count on a push from Palmer or Gary Player.

Just one year ago, Duval was that rival for Woods. His long and short games were working harmoniously. His training regimen made him the fittest player on tour. He won. He blew into Augusta. He looked unbeatable.

But that was a long time ago, and no matter where you look at Augusta, there isn't a Duval in sight.