Of the five Australians teeing off at the Masters on Thursday (Friday AEST), former major champion Ian Baker-Finch believes Adam Scott is best positioned to take home Augusta's green jacket.
Baker-Finch, the 1991 British Open champion, insists Scott's 2013 Masters victory and 15 consecutive years' of Augusta experience will be a formidable combination.
"All the Aussies are optimistic and seem in good shape, but Adam has won the Masters before and he's in a great frame of mind," Baker-Finch told AAP.
"Adam is expecting a second child with Marie, she's back home and he's been spending a lot of time with her. I just think he's in a good place right now."
Baker-Finch, the Australian Olympic golf team captain in Rio last year, says world No.3 Jason Day will be driven by the good news mother Dening will not have to undergo chemotherapy for lung cancer following successful surgery to remove a 3.5cm tumour on March 24.
The 56-year-old also believes Marc Leishman is also well placed to win his first career major championship, entering the Masters with a recent US PGA Tour victory among three top-10s and seven top-25s this season.
And with winds of up to 60km/h forecast for Thursday and Friday's opening rounds, Baker-Finch believes the Warrnambool, Victoria native will relish the blustery conditions.
"Marc controls his trajectory so well and that's crucial in the wind.
"He's the most in-form of the Aussies and he played with Adam in the final round when he the 2013 Masters and you learn a lot about winning majors in that position," said Baker-Finch.
Also flying the Aussie flag at Augusta is veteran Rod Pampling and No.1 amateur Curtis Luck.
But CBS golf commentator Baker-Finch said the Aussies would face stiff competiton in 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.
"Jordan Spieth grew up playing in the Texas wind and has an enviable record at Augusta and Rory comes in under the radar for someone so qualified."
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