Half of the eight Masters champions since 2002 have been left-handed, with Phil Mickelson accounting for three of those victories. Mike Weir, who plays a different, less brawny game than Mickelson, won in 2003.

Still, has hallowed Augusta National become refuge and playground for a tiny minority of odd lefties, a golf species once so disparaged that instructors routinely forced them to switch sides and play right-handed?

"I agree that it's better to be left-handed here," said Luke Donald, one of the favorites at this week's Masters and a right-handed player, as he stood beside the 18th green after his Tuesday practice round.

"There are an awful lot of holes that look more inviting if you stand over the ball as a left-hander," Donald continued. "The golf course may have always demanded a certain right-to-left ball flight for the right-handed player, but considering where they've moved the tees, it's exaggerated. It's a harder shot for a right-hander."

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