Storylines to follow at The Masters: Can Tiger really contend?

How will Tiger Woods perform this week at The Masters? Can Rory McIlroy complete the career Grand Slam? We pick out five storylines to follow at Augusta National... Is Tiger a genuine Masters contender?

It was barely six weeks ago that Tiger Woods' involvement at The Masters looked set to be little other than attending Tuesday's Champions Dinner, but the sporting world is now watching with interest to see how the former world No 1 fares in his long-awaited comeback.

Woods was still unsure on a competitive return date as recently as February's Genesis Invitational, with the 46-year-old only really fuelling speculation about a major return when he went for a practice round at Augusta National last week.

The 15-time major champion said on Sunday he would make a "game-time decision" about whether he would play and then delighted golf fans when he confirmed on Tuesday he would likely tee it up, his first competitive start since November 2020.

Woods told reporters he believes he can still win the opening men's major of the year, less than 14 months after a career-threatening car crash, with his return dominating the narrative in the build-up to The Masters.

Intrigue remains about whether Woods' leg will be handle 72 holes on an undulating golf course, with all logic suggesting that a winning return would be too much to ask, although past experience proves you can never write off the five-time Masters champion.

When Rory McIlroy won The Open in 2014 - the first of two major victories that year and his third different major title - it seemed inconceivable to think that McIlroy would still be searching for the career Grand Slam some eight years later.

McIlroy has registered six career top-10 finishes at Augusta National,