WIDE OF the 15th fairway on the right, they were bent down in a huddle, just like in American football. Cameras started clicking. Astonishingly, the focus of their attention on the eve of the 61st US Masters wasn't even one of the players: they were photographing Tiger Woods's golf ball.

The crowd's behaviour yesterday spoke volumes about the local perception of the year's first major championship. A record 13 Europeans, including the holder Nick Faldo, may be set to tee off at Augusta National today, but the big news is that Tiger's in town.

It was as if the London bookmakers had anticipated the draw, however, when they set out their prices. Faldo and his scarred victim of last year, Greg Norman, are joint favourites at 12/1, with Woods and the 1992 champion, Fred Couples on offer at 14/1. "It will be interesting to see how Tiger copes," said Colin Montgomerie of the youngster's pairing with Faldo.

Though a few competitors expressed surprise at worm casts on the 10th and 11th fairways, the course had its usual, stunning look on the final practice day - even if the flowers had gone. With an estimated 80,000 plants on the 365 acre site, nature still has much to offer.

As an increased European presence would indicate, the Masters is truly international, in keeping with the wisteria which was imported from Japan and the privet from France. And tradition remains lord of all, as exemplified by the record 45th appearance of the 1957 winner, Doug Ford, who will be 75 in August.

Though it is four years since he has broken 80 and 19 years since he last made the cut, Ford has plodded on to beat the record set by Sam Snead from 1937 to 1983. "Same Snead's a good man to beat in anything," he said sagely. "But I've kept coming back because it is such a wonderful course to play."

Then there's sentiment, particularly in the return of the 1994 champion whose Maria Olazabal. But all the emphasis on his remarkable recovery is beginning to wear a little thin for the gifted Spaniard. "You know we're talked about my feet and we've answered the questions pretty clearly," he said yesterday with more than a hint of exasperation.

"It would be nicer for me not to bring those memories of my feet back to mind and just concentrate on the tournament," he added. Annoyance clearly showed when he was asked to compare his game now to how it was in 1994. "Well, when you win a Masters, I don't think the game can get any better," he replied curtly.

His illustrious compatriot, Seve Ballesteros would be delighted to be in the position of making such comparisons. Yesterday was Ballesteros's 40th birthday, and this is also the 10th anniversary of the three way play off of 1987, when he walked tearfully back to the clubhouse after three putting the 10th. There was even greater pain for Greg Norman at the next, where Larry Mize holed an outrageous pitch and run shot to capture the title.

Then there is the contrition of Ken Green, who smuggled friends into the 1989 Masters in the boot of his car. Returning to the tournament after a lapse of six years and recent treatment for depression, Green said: "I always loved coming here. It's just that I didn't agree with the attitude of some of the people and the way they set up the golf course.

If the notion of a form horse catches one's fancy, Australian Steve Elkington has to be the choice. In only five USPGA Tour events so far this year, he has earned over $1 million, including a whopping $630,000 for a runaway victory in the Players' Championship.

But there's a snag: Elkington's Augusta record is very patchy. During his seven successive appearances since 1991, he was tied third in 1993, missed the cut in 1994, was tied fifth behind Ben Crenshaw in 1995 and missed the cut last year. Interestingly, however, he has broken 70 on five occasions in 20 rounds and has covered the par fives in 26 under.

Power is unquestionably a significant advantage on a course where all the par fives are reachable for the long hitter. That is why Montgomerie claimed yesterday that it was a par 70 for him, whereas it's a par 68 for Woods. "Though I have been here five times before, I believe I can be competitive for the first time on this occasion," added Montgomerie.

The long holes hold the key. Faldo, for instance, has been 84 under for the 208 par fives he has played in a total of 52 rounds at Augusta. Tom Watson has been 157 under for 352 par fives in 88 rounds, while Jack Nicklaus, six times winner of the title, has been 229 under for 572 par fives in 143 rounds.

In terms of ability to handle the course, Nick Price's prospects must be respected. In the third round in 1986, he set the course record of 63 which was equalled by Norman on the opening day last year. And the Zimbabwean also has rounds of 66 (1988) and 67 (1992) to his credit.

In yesterday's sunshine, the ground staff delivered a clear message to this week's aspirants. "The greens are firmer and faster than - I've ever experienced them at this stage of the week," said Montgomerie. And they are likely to become even more difficult, despite - the threat of thunderstorms on Saturday.

While the US Golf Association like to boast about Stimpmeter readings of up to 12 for the US Open, the belief is that it would be virtually impossible to get accurate readings on the Augusta greens. "If you roll a ball down one of those little ramps, it goes off the green," said Davis Love.

Tommy Tolles, a Masters debutant, decided to take his putter back to the house he's renting so that he could practise on its hardwood floors. Another young American, Paul Stankowski, prepared for a second Masters assault by putting on the concrete floor of his garage. "It was running at 23 on the Stimpmeter, which is a little fast," he said with a grin.

Whatever about naming a possible winner, there is no doubting the fact that Faldo is the player to beat. Typically, the idea of favouritism doesn't bother him in the slightest. "Even as I stare 40 in the face, I believe I have what it takes to stay on top," he said.

"I have a body as fit and strong as any 25 year old on tour - if not better - and the experience." Menacingly, the holder concluded: "As long as I have the nerve to win, I can keep on winning."

Sixty five magnolia trees, planted before the American civil war, grace Magnolia Lane, the driveway to the Augusta National clubhouse. They represent a tradition that is both secure and forbidding. Just like the holder of this coveted title.