What do Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson and Angel Cabrera all have in common?
No one was picking them ahead of the Masters in 2007, 2008 and 2009 — but they all won against the odds.
Here are six players, currently in the Augusta National shadows, who might just step into the spotlight as first-time winners:
JB Holmes (USA)
— Bags of experience and a huge hitter of the ball. Tied for 25th in his only previous appearance at Augusta National, but has run into a rich vein of form this year, taking second at the WGC-Cadillac tournament and winning last week at the Houston Open
Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP)
— The evergreen Spaniard at 51 remains a threat every time he tees off — witness to which his wins on the European Tour last year. Has the experience it takes at the Masters having played the tournament 15 times and he finished fourth last year.
Branden Grace (RSA)
— One of a new wave of talented South African players coming through in Europe and Asia, Grace tied for 18th on his Masters debut in 2013. He has two wins to his credit on the European Tour this season and aims to match countrymen Immelman and Charl Schwartzel – both outsiders who won in recent years.
Paul Casey (ENG)
— Former world number four who has battled back from a succession of injuries to regain his place in the top bracket. Has three top-10 finishes in the US this year and three top-15 finishes on his Masters record
Hideki Matsuyama (JPN)
— Seen by many as the best prospect to come out of Japan in many years, Matsuyama is comfortably ensconced in the world top 20 and won his first US title at the Memorial last year. Has been consistently good this year and this is now his fourth Masters.
Victor Dubuisson (FRA)
— Enigmatic shot-maker who has emerged onto the scene in the last year with a run of strong performances and then a star turn at the Ryder Cup. Struggled a bit in the US this season, but looked good with a top finish for a tie for 17th at Houston last week.