The year's first golf major, the US Masters, starts tonight and Australian fans will again watch the telecast in their droves - despite the locals' lack of success, as GREG FORD writes.

All eyes will be on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy when the Masters gets underway next week, writes WILL THOMSON.

His swing is still a work in progress, his putting stroke is not what it was and now Tiger Woods has picked up another injury. But MIKE CLAYTON says, don't be fooled: there's plenty of major-winning golf left in the champ yet.

Former International team captain PETER THOMSON says the Internationals shouldn't be whingeing about foursomes or bad luck in their Presidents Cup defeat - they were simply beaten by a better team, led by Tiger Woods. 

Greg Norman showed great faith in Robert Allenby and Aaron Baddeley as his two International team picks this week but, as CHARLES HAPPELL reports, the two Victorians were unable to rise to the occasion.  

The final day of The Presidents Cup is golf's equivalent of election night. JONATHAN HOWCROFT was at the Royal Melbourne to sort the reds from the blues.

Ryo Ishikawa and KT Kim have let the International side down with their poor preparation around Royal Melbourne and MIKE CLAYTON says there was a case for Greg Norman to tell Ishikawa not to bother turning up at all.

Tiger Woods suffered his worst defeat in 14 years of Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup play, while Aaron Baddeley made a complete hash of the final two holes, as the US took a 4-2 lead in the Presidents Cup, writes CHARLES HAPPELL.

Geelong mad Aaron Baddeley is hoping to celebrate more silverware at Royal Melbourne this week. JONATHAN HOWCROFT caught up with the Victorian as well as keeping an eye on Adam Scott 's putting and Greg Norman's finances.