Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
This is always a magical week in the golfing calendar, the first 'Major' of the year and what a tournament it is!
Phil Mickelson enjoyed the perfect preparation for the defence of his Masters title as he won the Shell Houston Open by three shots. The American followed up his course-record 63 on Saturday with a superb final round of 65 to claim the 39th tournament victory of his career.
His success at the Redstone Golf Club moves him up to number three in the world, meaning for the first time since 1997 he will go to Augusta ahead of Tiger Woods, who has now dropped to seventh.
For Mickelson the win may just be the tonic he needs to inspire him in Georgia this week; his game has been in a mess for a year, since his triumph last April and he has been in freefall down the world rankings.
Only four players have won the week before the Masters and then also gone on to enjoy success in the first major of the season. Mickelson, however, is one of them, having captured the BellSouth Classic in 2006 before earning his second green jacket.
The Masters may be the easiest Major to win as its field is small in comparison with the other three, but it's special, and this year many pundits see it as the most open Masters ever.
It has everything we can ask for in a tournament - its beauty, its mystique around Amen Corner and of course its history and tradition. There is intense pressure on every player who is in contention down the stretch on Sunday with water to test the belief and lightning fast greens that leave even the steeliest nerve frayed at the edges.
The presentation of Augusta set the standards we enjoy at many courses throughout the world today; quite simply, there is no place like it.
There have been of course many great shots at all of the majors, but somehow great Masters moments stay fresh in memory. Larry Mize's chip-in against Greg Norman happened 24 years ago, yet the image of the all Augusta boy punching the air makes it feel like yesterday.
The year before, Jack Nicklaus, at the age of 46 with his son carrying his bag, played arguably the finest last nine holes of his career. Always known for making a final round charge, Jack set Augusta alight with a breathtaking display of driving, iron play and putting. Twenty-three years after winning his first Masters, the Golden Bear eagled the 15th, birdied the 16th and 17th and limited himself to just 30 shots for the back nine.
One of the most standout Masters moments recently came at the 16th when Tiger played a pitch from the back of the green, the ball almost static by the hole side for a moment, pausing before revealing the 'swoosh' and then dying of exhaustion. Steven Spielberg would have been proud of dreaming that one up.
There are sad moments as well; Norman's capitulation in 1996 when holding a six shot lead going into the final day. It must not be forgotten that Faldo's final round was exemplary and his 67 would deservedly earn him his third green jacket. For Norman, his Master's dream would never be realised, and after so many near misses is probably the biggest regret of his otherwise magnificent career.
So, who is the wise money on this year? As I said earlier it is the most open for years. Despite recent form Tiger and Phil will start amongst the favourites and with seven jackets between them you can understand why.
The Masters is the only Major played on the same course every year, so experience there is key. It can take time to get to know a course and Augusta probably calls for more 'local knowledge' than most.
World number one Martin Kaymer has never made the cut there, Lee Westwood improved his previous best by ten shots to finish runner up last year, Ernie Els has been close so often; the list goes on.
Predicting a winner this year is a tough ask; negotiating Amen Corner safely and coming down the stretch on Sunday it will come down to who holds their nerve the best.
Personally, I hope Westwood goes one better than last year, as I would love him to lift his first Major at the Masters, but I will not curse him with my backing. So I will back Tiger to cap his comeback this week with his fifth green jacket ... read into that what you will!
