British challenge at Augusta at its strongest for years, despite major drought

IF Tiger is going to be cornered at Augusta, it's possible a Union flag may cover his tail. A year after Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter all finished in the top 13 at the 2007 Masters, the hopes of finding a British contender for America's favourite golf tournament are stronger than in years.

With Lee Westwood and Nick Dougherty also adding strength in depth to the challenge from the UK, there are dreams of ending a 12-year drought for the Brits in Georgia. After Ireland's Padraig Harrington quenched Europe's thirst for a major winner at Carnoustie last summer, Rose believes a British player will also toast success in golf's most prestigious championships sooner rather than later. "I think one of our generation will win a major at one point and it will be a big deal," said Rose, who has given himself chances to do well at Augusta in two of the three Masters he's entered.

"Historically, Britons and Europeans have done well at Augusta. Paul Casey has played well here, Luke Donald has d one well and I've done well. (The Masters] is probably as good a chance as any."

In 2004 Rose opened up with 67 only to lose the plot with 81 on Saturday. Last spring he led the way with 69 in the first round and enjoyed a share of the lead on Sunday. He was still in contention until the 17th when his drive was diverted by a pine tree onto the 15th at the cost of a double bogey.

Rose likes Augusta National and believes the course suits him. Casey feels the same way and found himself complimented last year by none other than Tiger Woods, who described the Englishman's second round 68 as one of the best rounds of golf he'd ever seen at Augusta. A long hitter and a streaky putter, Casey relishes how testing Augusta has become. "It's incredibly difficult," said the man with two top-ten finishes in three starts. "But there's a way to get round. Maybe they play a few tricks; they make the front of the green soft and the rest of it firm. The sand is so white it blinds you. But that's the way it is, and they give you a chance."

Of course, it isn't just the young lions who want to maul the Tiger. Westwood has been competing regularly at Augusta since 1997 yet is still only 34.

While the Ryder Cup player is understandably wary of talking up a rival, he appreciates the aura Woods, as undisputed world No1, brings to every tournament he enters. "Hot or cold," reflected the Englishman, "he's just there."

Twenty years after he became the first Briton to wear a green jacket, Sandy Lyle picked out Westwood as the most likely golfer to emulate the success enjoyed by himself, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam. As well as being a gifted driver of the ball and fierce competitor, Lyle has been impressed by Westwood's dedication and his much improved fitness.

A colleague who sat beside Westwood on a flight from Manchester to Atlanta on Sunday reported the food options in business class which were everyone else's fifth choice – small bowls of soup, pasta and salad – were all that crossed the golfer's lips. Serious about his fitness regime, Westwood has trimmed six inches from his waist and added muscle to a lean frame.

He now drives the ball ten yards further and is as well equipped as anyone to cope with Augusta's added length. Mentally, he's also stronger.

Westwood, too, knows how it feels to lead the Masters with nine holes to play. He was stricken by nerves in 1999 and imploded on the back nine. Wiser as well a stronger, the Worksop golfer believes he will cope better with the pressure if the chance presents itself again.

In the second phase of a career littered with victories in every kind of championship except a major, Westwood conceded: "I have to be honest, it's beginning to get to me that I've won a lot of tournaments but not a major. The older I get – and fortunately I'm not that old – the more I realise how important it is to define yourself. And the best way in golf is at the majors."