Charl Schwartzel didn’t realize he closed the 2011 Masters Tournament with four consecutive birdies to win – no player had ever done that before at Augusta.

He had bigger things on his mind.

“When that putt disappeared on 18, honestly the last thing that went through my mind is that I made my fourth straight birdie,” he said. “It was, I just won the green jacket.”

Previously, the best any champion had done was birdie the final two holes in the final round. The furious finish gave Schwartzel 6-under-par 66 – the lowest final round by a winner since Nick Faldo’s 65 in 1989. Schwartzel finished at 14-under 274 for a two-shot victory over Australians Adam Scott (67 in the final round) and Masters rookie Jason Day (68).

The defending Masters champion returned to Augusta National Golf Club not as one of this year’s favorites. Instead, all eyes are on players like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Luke Donald.

Nicklaus, Faldo, Woods. They are the only men to defend the Masters championship. But how Schwartzel won the Masters in a way that never was done before, he should be considered to have a legitimate chance of accomplishing what only those three men named earlier have done.

Schwartzel became the third South African to win, joining Gary Player and Trevor Immelman. Schwartzel also finished T9 at the 2011 US Open, and had 10 top-25 finishes in 15 starts.

Age: 27.

Country: South Africa.

World ranking: 7.

Wins: 8.

Majors: Masters (2011).

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +4000

Best Masters moment: Becoming the first player to finish with four birdies to win the Masters.

Worst Masters moment: Learning that Augusta National won’t let him do the cooking at the Champions Dinner.

Overview: He has not won since the Masters last year, though Schwartzel returns to Augusta National on good form with close calls at the Honda Classic and at Doral. He is trying to join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02) as the only players to win back-to-back at the Masters.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Scoring Avg: 70.63

Low Round: 66

High Round: 76

Rounds Under Par: 5

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    1          -14       69        71        68        66        $ 1,440,000

2010    30        +3        69        76        72        74        $ 45,563

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Steve Stricker doesn’t look 45, but he readily owns up to his age. When Jack Nicklaus won the Masters Tournament 26 years ago, he became the oldest green jacket winner at 46. Stricker, who’s in the prime of his career, is trying to become the second-oldest Masters champion. Stricker is looking for his first major win overall.

Stricker, who’s eighth on the PGA Tour career money list with more than $33 million, said he feels good about his game. And with a pair of top-15 finishes in two of the past three Masters (tie for sixth in 2009, tie for 11th last year), he said he’s getting more comfortable in Augusta.

He finished in the top 20 in each of the four majors last year. At the Masters, he posted 22 birdies – his most in Augusta – but he couldn’t limit his mistakes. He made four bogeys in each of his first three rounds and five in the final round.

Stricker started the 2012 season by winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Won multiple PGA Tour titles in each season from 2009-2011, the only player on Tour to accomplish that feat. Had top-25 finishes in all four majors in 2011. Finished T11 at the 2011 Masters. Now has 12 PGA Tour victories, eight since 2009. Member of four Presidents Cup teams and two Ryder Cup teams. Ranked 6th in the final 2011 Official World Golf Ranking.

Age: 45.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 5.

Wins: 12.

Majors: None.

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +4000

Best Masters moment: Still waiting for one.

Worst Masters moment: Shooting an 80 in his Masters debut in 1996.

Overview: His putting stroke is so good that even Tiger Woods asks him for advice. Won the season opener at Kapalua and has played well in his limited schedule. But he has only five rounds in the 60s at the Masters. Still part of the “Best without a major” conversation.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Scoring Avg: 73.00

Low Round: 66

High Round: 80

Rounds Under Par: 13

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    11        -5         72        70        71        70        $ 176,000

2010    30        +3        73        73        74        71        $ 45,563

2009    6          -8         72        69        68        71        $ 242,813

2008    63        +6        73        77                                $ 10,000

2007    77        +12      77        79                                $ 10,000

2002    69        +7        75        76                                $ 5,000

2001    10        -8         66        71        72        71        $ 128,800

2000    19        +3        70        73        75        73        $ 53,820

1999    38        +7        75        72        69        79        $ 17,200

1997    70        +12      77        79                                $ 5,000

1996    56        +5        80        69                                $ 1,500

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Adam Scott didn’t believe he’d be part of the final-round conversation at the 2011 Masters Tournament. Five shots off the pace of leader Rory McIlroy entering Sunday, Scott said the deficit seemed a bit too much, especially with the way McIlroy was playing. Then McIlroy began slipping and Scott started adding some back-nine fireworks.

“I really had no expectations,” Scott said. “Rory had played an unbelievable three rounds. I was just going out there to have the best round I could possibly have.”

With three birdies on the final eight holes for a closing 67, Scott put himself in position to win his first green jacket. He and fellow Aussie Jason Day tied for the clubhouse lead at 12-under before Charl Schwartzel birdied the final four holes for a two-shot win.

Scott, 31, hopes to build off his best Masters finish and become the first Australian to win the event. He hired caddie Steve Williams last summer and hopes the former Tiger Woods associate will improve his finish at Augusta National.

Scott won the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after starting with an opening-round 62, the lowest first round by a tournament winner in event history. Had seven top-10 finishes in 2011. Five-time Presidents Cup member.

Age: 31.

Country: Australia.

World ranking: 10.

Wins: 18.

Majors: None.

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +2800

Masters Qualification(s): Top 16 players in previous Masters; Top 30 PGA Tour Money List; PGA Tour events winner; Tour Championship qualifier; Top 50 World Golf Ranking

Best Masters moment: Hitting tee shot to a foot on the 16th hole to take outright lead last year in the final round.

Worst Masters moment: Coming off a win at The Players Championship in 2004, two weeks later he opened with an 80 at the Masters.

Overview: Switching to the long putter at least gives him a chance, as he showed last year. Not to be dismissed is having experience of three Masters victories on the bag in Williams. His schedule leading to Augusta has been peculiar at best. Scott will have played only nine competitive rounds before the Masters.

MASTERS PLAYER OVERVIEW

Scoring Avg: 72.72

Low Round: 67

High Round: 80

Rounds Under Par: 13

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    2          -12       72        70        67        67        $ 704,000

2010    18        -1         69        75        72        71        $ 94,500

2009    51        +2        71        75                                $ 10,000

2008    25        +4        75        71        70        76        $ 54,844

2007    27        +12      74        78        76        72        $ 53,650

2006    27        +4        72        74        75        71        $ 49,700

2005    33        +6        71        76        72        75        $ 39,620

2004    79        +9        80        73                                $ 5,000

2003    23        +5        77        72        74        70        $ 57,600

2002    9          -3         71        72        72        70        $ 151,200

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It’s been four years and Martin Kaymer is still searching for answers – and his first made cut – at Augusta National Golf Club. He’s far from discouraged, though. It’s a hurdle the former No. 1-ranked player in the world embraces.

“The great thing is that it’s the biggest challenge that I have,” Kaymer said. “I look forward to battle that challenge.”

Kaymer is 18 over par for his eight rounds and has yet to play on the weekend. In his first three years, at least he was close to making the cut – he missed by one shot in 2008 and by two in both 2009 and 2010. Last year, he missed it by five shots after rounds of 78-72.

He picked up two victories in 2011, including a late-season win at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, China. Finished runner-up at the 2011 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Has 10 international victories since 2006. Member of the 2010 Ryder Cup team. Ranked 4th in the final 2011 Official World Golf Ranking.

Age: 27.

Country: Germany.

World ranking: 4.

Wins: 10.

Majors: PGA Championship (2010).

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +6000

Masters Qualification(s): PGA Champion; Top 50 World Golf Ranking

Best Masters moment: Tuesday press conferences.

Worst Masters moment: Never making it to the weekend.

Overview: Of the young players, he has been the most proficient at winning against strong fields. But he has never made the cut at the Masters, and last year at No. 1 in the world, he set out to change his swing for Augusta. If he’s not careful, he’ll start believing that he can’t win the Masters – if he hasn’t started believing that already.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Scoring Avg: 74.25

Low Round: 71

High Round: 78

Rounds Under Par: 1

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    82        +6        78        72                                $ 10,000

2010    54        +5        76        73                                $ 10,000

2009    58        +3        71        76                                $ 10,000

2008    46        +4        76        72                                $ 10,000

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Watson has shown some serious focus this year, starting it with five consecutive top-20 finishes. He hopes the hot start will translate to Masters Tournament success. The left-hander’s best showing is a tie for 20th in 2008.

“I’m playing really good,” he said. “I just haven’t made the putts. I’m going in the right direction and I’m still going forward.”

Watson had the first multiple-win season of his career in 2011, picking up victories at the Farmers Insurance Open and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Won in a playoff in New Orleans with a birdie on the second playoff hole. Finished solo second at the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship and T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Member of the 2010 Ryder Cup and 2011 Presidents Cup teams.

Age: 33.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 18.

Wins: 3.

Majors: None.

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +3500

Masters Qualification(s): Top 30 PGA Tour Money List; PGA Tour event winner; Tour Championship qualifier; Top 50 World Golf Ranking

Best Masters moment: Referring to entrance as Magnolia Lane instead of “that tiny road with trees that starts with an M.”

Worst Masters moment: Closing with a 78 last year when everyone around him was making a move.

Overview: If Augusta National taps the creative side, few have more imagination than this guy. His length is an advantage, along with the various shapes he can create. But when he gets his ball position out of sync, it can be difficult to get it back. And he looked shaky on fast greens at Bay Hill.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Scoring Avg: 72.50

Low Round: 67

High Round: 78

Rounds Under Par: 3

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    38        +1        73        71        67        78        $ 36,800

2009    42        +2        72        72        73        73        $ 29,250

2008    20        +3        74        71        73        73        $ 84,300

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Rose was the winner of the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship. Inn his last four starts, the Englishman has a 5th, a win, a 29th, and a 15th. Every golfer wants consistency in his game and boy, does Rose have it. Making his seventh start at the Masters, he hasn’t missed a cut.

Rose also won the 2011 BMW Championship on the strength of an opening-round 63, which tied for the lowest opening round in tournament history. Had four other top-10 finishes last year, including a T3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Shot a final-round 68 at the 2011 Masters to finish T11. Finished T4 at the 1998 British Open as an amateur. Ranked 18th in the final 2011 Official World Golf Ranking.

Age: 31.

Country: England.

World ranking: 8.

Wins: 10.

Majors: None.

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +2500

Masters Qualification(s): Top 16 players in previous Masters Tournament; Top 30 PGA Tour Money List; PGA Tour event winner; Tour Championship qualifier; Top 50 World Golf Ranking Best Masters moment: Taking a two-shot lead into the weekend in 2004.

Worst Masters moment: Losing the lead in 2004 with an 81 in the third round

Overview: He has had enough good moments at the Masters to believe he can contend. He has won on quality courses, from Muirfield Village to Aronimink. Rose put a lot of emphasis on the Florida swing and came away with a big win at Doral.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Scoring Avg: 72.63

Low Round: 67

High Round: 81

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    11        -5         73        71        71        68        $ 176,000

2009    20        -2         74        70        71        71        $ 71,400

2008    36        +7        68        78        73        76        $ 36,875

2007    5          +4        69        75        75        73        $ 275,500

2004    22        +2        67        71        81        71        $ 70,200

2003    39        +9        73        76        71        77        $ 27,000

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Mahan is the first two-time winner on Tour this year. He won the 2012 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Also won the Shell Houston Open the week prior to the Masters. 2011 was highlighted by a career-best 10 top-10 finishes. Collected his second career runner-up finish at the.AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Also finished second at the Tour Championship and T6 at The Players Championship. Winner of three PGA Tour titles. Qualified for the 2003 Masters after finishing runner-up at the 2002 US Amateur.

Age: 30.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 14.

Wins: 4.

Majors: None.

Masters Qualification(s): Top 30 PGA Tour Money List; PGA Tour event winner; Tour Championship qualifier; Top 50 World Golf Ranking

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +2500

Best Masters moment: Made the cut as an amateur in 2003.

Worst Masters moment: Missed the cut in his Masters debut as a professional in 2008.

Scoring Avg: 71.94

Low Round: 66

High Round: 77

Rounds Under Par: 8

Overview: Picked up his second World Golf Championship title at the Match Play with an efficient, and motivated, win that denied Rory McIlroy from going to No. 1. His strengths are driving accuracy and his iron play. His weakness has been chipping, one of the more crucial elements at Augusta National.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    50        +2        75        71                                $ 10,000

2010    8          -7         71        71        68        71        $ 225,000

2009    10        -7         66        75        71        69        $ 187,500

2008    56        +5        77        72                                $ 10,000

2003    28        +6        73        72        73        76        $ 0

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Snedeker picked up the third PGA Tour win of his career at the 2012 Farmers Insurance Open. His victory at The Heritage was the highlight of a standout 2011 season. Had seven top-10s and 14 top-25 finishes. Was T15 at the 2011 Masters, finishing three of four rounds under par. Started two shots off the lead during the final round of the 2008 Masters, finished T3. Masters debut came as an amateur in 2004 after winning the 2003 US Amateur Public Links Championship.

Age: 31.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 22.

Wins: 3.

Majors: None.

Masters Qualification(s): Top 16 players in Masters Tournament; Top 30 PGA Tour Money List; PGA Tour event winner; Tour Championship qualifier; Top 50 World Golf Ranking

WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +8000

Best Masters moment: Making a 35-foot eagle putt on the second hole of the final round to tie for the lead in 2008.

Worst Masters moment: Hitting into Rae’s Creek on the 13th hole to lose hope of winning in 2008.

Scoring Avg: 72.71

Low Round: 68

High Round: 77

Rounds Under Par: 6

Overview: Rallied from seven shots behind to win at Torrey Pines this year. He has a quick tempo to go with a game built around feel, and the Masters figures to be one major where he can contend if enough things go right for him. His lesson from 2008? Keep emotions at an even keel.

MASTERS PLAYER RECORD

Year    Place    Score   Round                                                 Money

1          2          3          4

2011    15        -4         69        71        74        70        $ 128,000

2009    73        +6        76        74                                $ 10,000

2008    3          -4         69        68        70        77        $ 435,000

2004    41        +12      73        75        75        77        $ 0

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