TIGER Woods will, like the rest of us, watch the action at the US Masters unfold on his television at home next week.

Yet the absence of the four-time winner from Augusta will not devalue the first Major of the season greatly, if at all.

The 38-year-old American has not prevailed at the world-famous Georgia venue in nine long years now.

And his form this year, before his back injury sidelined him, did not suggest that was going to change.

His best showing in three appearances on the PGA Tour was a lowly 25th in the Cadillac Championship this month.

It was not exactly the play of the fearsome individual who used to obliterate competitors with his unparalleled brilliance.

So while the considerable presence of Tiger would have undoubtedly been welcome at Augusta, the tournament will still be a compelling spectacle.

A glittering array of the world's most talented stars will tee off come Thursday hoping to lay their hands on the fabled green jacket.

And that number will include a man who many current and former players feel is destined to one day prevail at the Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie- designed course.

Jason Day had, like Woods, been doubtful for the US Masters due to injury. He had been nursing a sore thumb and had been struggling with a back strain.

But the Australian world No.4, who won the Accenture Match Play Championship on his last competitive outing, in February, is raring to go.

And having finished third and second in his only two appearances at Augusta, it is no surprise that many fancy him to come out on top a week tomorrow.

"My back feels 100% so that's totally fine and my hand feels good," he said. "I will be taping my hand for the next few tournaments but I'm physically and mentally ready."

The 26-year-old, many bookmakers' third favourite behind Rory McIlroy and defending champion Adam Scott, has arrived at Augusta early to prepare.

And he feels this will, despite his lack of competitive golf in recent weeks, help him to challenge his rivals when the tournament gets underway.

"I have a week to really get my preparation going," said Day. "I just have to do the work I need to do to feel like I am ready to go. I want to win."

McIlroy has been displaying more consistent form this season and is expected, along with the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson and a number of others to feature prominently.

The Irishman struggled badly last season, but is, in the absence of Woods, hoping to establish his dominance in world golf in the months ahead.

"Golf is in a funny place at the moment," he said. "You are getting so many different winners.

"There are not as many guys dominating the sport like in the past with Tiger, Vijay (Singh) and Phil.

"I'd like to establish myself as that sort of player. Someone's got to step up. I want to be that person."

Few would bet against him doing so. But there is no guarantee he will prevail in the US Masters given the difficulty of the venue and the excellence of the field.