IN TAROT card reading, one card represents bad luck: it is the Wheel of Fortune, in reverse! Yesterday, Matt Kuchar, an American in the form of his life with top-10 finishes in his last two appearances, and KJ Choi were dealt the hand nobody wanted in this 74th Masters tournament at Augusta National when paired with Tiger Woods for the opening two rounds of the year’s first major.

At the time the draw was being worked out, Kuchar was putting away merrily on the practice green behind the first tee where former tour player, Peter Jacobsen was gently whispering that the 6’ 4” player was worthy of consideration as a possible champion this week.

Then, came the draw, and the news that Kuchar would renew acquaintances with Woods. Back in 1998, in his first Masters, Kuchar as the 1997 US Amateur champion was paired with defending Masters champion Woods in the first round. Kuchar shot 72, to Woods’ 71.

Woods, at his press conference on Monday, claimed that whoever was paired with him would have an easy ride. “It’s not like the US Open and the British Open, (where) there’s over a hundred people inside the ropes and moving around . . . if there’s one week that you would rather have a pairing with me, considering the circumstances, it would probably be this week.”

Stewart Cink, the British Open champion, who has played more rounds with Woods at Augusta than any other player, remarked: “It’s always different playing with Tiger at the Masters than it is anywhere else. Whoever plays with him this week (will find it) a little bit different, but it’s always fun.”

Pádraig Harirngton will start his quest in the same group as Charl Schwartzel and Cink (6.20 pm Irish time). “This is the best place in the world to be paired with anybody,” observed Harrington. “It’s like you are in your own little world when you’re out there between the ropes.”