Is Augusta turning into a regular course ?

Driving down Magnolia Lane at Augusta National, you get a sense of the rich tradition and heritage of the Masters Tournament. Three years ago one Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods changed that forever. He blistered Augusta National course bombing away with his driver and hitting short irons to greens that were refusing shots from middle or long irons.

As a result, Augusta National will have the appearance of just another tournament this week -- that is just another tour stop with picturesque beauty. Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus played a practice round at Augusta just a few weeks ago and said that the course had lost "its definition."

Once, where you could see rolling fairway from the tee, there is rough. The rough is certainly not as treacherous as a U.S. Open setup, but when you combine rough with firm, fast greens, the three can be deadly. There's just no stopping the ball on the green.

Therein lies the challenge this week for golfers and fantasy golf fans. Choose your team as you would for a U.S. Open because the players that can find fairways this week are the ones that will find their names on the leaderboard on Sunday.

Three accurate drivers come to mind for this tournament: Hal Sutton, Jeff Maggert and Loren Roberts.

Sutton showed two weeks ago with his win at the Players Championship just how mentally tough he really is. He also showed that he could play target golf. If he brings the same game to Augusta that he brought to Sawgrass, then factor him in big-time.

Roberts and Maggert rank 1-2 on the Tour in driving accuracy, hitting 80 percent of their tee shots in the fairway. Maggert has always ranked among the most accurate drivers, while Roberts has never been known as this great a driver, he is known for his outstanding putting ability. Combine the two and you have a formula for winning.

And, then there's Woods. You can't ignore him. He won't go away. He's simply the best golfer on this Planet. If he hits the fairways like he's capable of doing, then stop the tournament and re-measure him for a second green jacket. He's that good.

A trio of international golfers will be ready if Woods' driver goes awry. The three; Ernie Els, Nick Price and Colin Montgomerie. Els is long and straight -- two tremendous traits for this week. But, his imagination in and around the green may prove to be his greatest asset this week. If he can get up-and-down whenever he misses a green, then he could just as unstoppable as Woods.

Price has played solid golf all year, except for the 10 he carded on a par-4 last week in Atlanta. He'll bring his 'A' game to Augusta.

Montgomerie showed signs two weeks ago at the Players Championship on why he's regarded as the top player in Europe. But, Montgomerie has a go-for-broke attitude and that has cost him some victories in the states. The talent is there, though. There's no denying that.

Mickelson, who won last week's rain-shortened BellSouth Classic, has played extremely well all year and has the same skills around the green that Els does. He's one of the longest drivers on the tour, which could shorten some of Augusta Nationals difficult par-4 holes.

If you're looking for a darkhorse, then take a look at Tom Watson. Watson has won this tournament before and his game is in fine shape. He recorded his second runner-up finish on the Senior Tour last week. But don't factor in Watson's course knowledge. Remember what the Golden Bear said. The course has lost its definition...its identity.

Hopefully, one day the powers-that-be will come to their senses and restore this American treasure back to its original and traditional design. Until then, it's just like any other tour stop ... only it's a major.