The short hitter can still contend at Augusta National. Last year's statistics offer proof.

But can the true shotmaker actually win the Masters?

That seems unlikely.

A green jacket seems reserved for the power hitter.

Last year, the first Masters played with the most dramatic course changes, a good mix of long and short knockers finished in the top 20. Players such as Justin Leonard, Jose Maria Olazabal, Brad Faxon and Nick Price joined heavies like Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Angel Cabrera.

But contending is not winning, and the reason the short hitter will not prevail at Augusta is no different than why Annika Sorenstam will not win the Bank of America Colonial.

The short hitter is playing a different course, one that requires hitting long irons and even fairway woods into undulating greens that were not designed to hold those shots.

This week, like last year, it will be even more difficult for the shotmakers because rain has softened the fairways. That means less roll, longer approaches and just too much pressure placed on the short game to make birdies and keep up.

"It's very unlikely," Mickelson said when asked if a short hitter can win. "This one clearly stresses distance, and although a less-than-long hitter can win here and they have contended and won here in the past, the odds are that a long hitter will win."

Last year, Augusta National remodeled nine holes and lengthened the course 325 yards. No. 5 was the only hole redone this year, stretching the layout to 7,290 yards. The famed course, once on the verge of becoming a pitch-and-putt with equipment advances, grew some big teeth.

While plenty of short hitters found themselves in the hunt during last year's final round, Tiger Woods enjoyed the luxury of playing conservatively. He tried to stay out of trouble while watching everybody else make mistakes trying to catch him.

Every course suits Woods, but none more than Augusta, where this week he is going for a record third straight Masters title, fourth overall. He has the perfect package for Augusta in that he is a powerful highball hitter, the best pressure putter, has a great short game and is the strongest mentally.

Throw some water on the fairways, and watch Woods's chances grow.

"It's difficult in a different way," Woods said after Tuesday's practice round. "Now it's just long and brutal."

Augusta's design is for hard fairways and firm greens. In those conditions, it's more difficult for everybody. Big hitters must worry about driving through fairways. And dry conditions allow the short hitter to keep pace with some roll on their drives.

With no roll, the short hitter faces even more of a disadvantage.