Professional golf's latest and greatest superstar duel — Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson — has yet to materialize, mainly because of the inconsistencies that have become the trademark of Mickelson's career.

They are, however, brought together by one of the most spectacular parcels of land anywhere: Augusta National Golf Club.

Both have a great appreciation for the history of the Masters, the personality of the course and like greats of the game, have done battle there over the years.

And, in lieu of bubbling controversy over radical changes to the course since last year's Masters or the lack of organized protests outside the gate, the focus this week will be on what goes on inside the ropes.

The spotlight will shine no brighter anywhere than on Woods and Mickelson who, along with Vijay Singh, have dominated the season's first major in the past 10 years. Between them, they've accumulated seven green jackets over that span.

"We (he and Mickelson) both feel comfortable on the golf course. We both have, I think, decent short games, and that golf course — one of the very few golf courses where we can utilize our imagination and creativity," said Woods, whose dramatic chip-in on No. 16 two years ago will go down as one of the best Masters shots in history.

"You look at most of the guys who have gone through there and won, they have all got wonderful short games. You've got bump-and-run, you've got to use different spins, high, low; it's just one of the great golf courses to play. I think once you understand how to play it and you can build your misses into some short game situations, you start seeing the same guys up there at the top of the board."

That sounds similar to the 1950s and '60s when Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus seemed to trade Masters victories with Gary Player serving in the role of Vijay Singh. In the nine years between 1958 and 1966, Palmer won four times (1958, '60, '62, '64), Nicklaus won three times (1963, '65, '66) and Player won in 1961.

Woods will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his first Masters victory and, in addition to hoping to add his fifth green jacket, he'll be hoping to win the third leg of the "Tiger Slam." He won the British Open and PGA Championship in 2006 and if he wins at Augusta, he'll have a shot to hold all four major trophies at the same time if he is the last man standing at Oakmont in June.

Mickelson has won two in the past three years and cherishes the opportunity to compete for a third title.

Well, it's cool being in the two-win club, don't get me wrong," Mickelson said. "It would be great to add a third. I mean, everybody wants to win that tournament. And those are a couple — some of my best memories is the game are winning those two events.

"Obviously, being able to win my first major there and to birdie the last hole and then to have a nice stroll up 18 knowing I had the tournament in hand. Those are the walks and the memories you cherish, and to be able to add to that and create another memory would be terrific and something I'm working hard to do."

The ultimate in drama would be for Woods and Mickelson to be paired this week as they stake their claim to the next level of golf greatness. That may not happen, just like it didn't with Nicklaus and Palmer in their heydays.

The best thing about that not happening? The crowd roars will be doubled across the hills and valleys of Augusta National.

5 players who can beat Tiger

Vijay Singh -Since his Masters victory in 2000, Singh has recorded a tie for 18th and then no worse than a tie for eighth since. His win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational provided evidence that he's still capable of winning on a difficult golf course. Vijay Singh -

Phil Mickelson - His worst finish at Augusta National Golf Club in the past eight years is a tie for 8th. He's won the Masters two of the past three years and finished third the three years prior. How can you bet against him?

Geoff Ogilvy - The reigning U.S. Open champion proved to be a "big-game" player last year, winning the World Golf Championship Match Play and the U.S. Open. He also finished in a tie for 16th at the Masters and British Open and a tie for ninth at the PGA Championship.

Stewart Cink - The Duluth, Ga., resident has finished in the top 20 the past three years. He's figured out how to get around this historic layout.

Jim Furyk - In 10 Masters appearances, he's missed the cut once, never been out of the top 30 and has had three top 10s. He's a grinder who's won a U.S. Open and has the mental toughness to handle the Sunday afternoon heat.

For more on this year's competition, read this insightful piece in here

So Who Do You Think Will Win This Year?