Read more: Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy gear up for the US Masters

The Masters golf tournament kicks off today. And one of the favorites going into the Augusta Georgia based tournament is Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell. He is scheduled to tee off today at 10:41 am EST with playing partners Tiger Woods and Robert Allenby.

The 2010 US Open champ is confident and  rearing to go. McDowell has no qualms playing with Tiger who is the odds on favorite to win the tournament at 8/1 odds.

He told the Belfast telegraph “I feel like I have played with him enough now to where it’s pretty normal. I’ve got to go and play my own game on Thursday and Friday and let him play his game. Once you get used to the whole buzz that surrounds him it’s pretty normal.

The fifth ranked player in the world understands the mystique of Augusta and the importance of winning the tournament.

“This is one of the very special major championships. They are all special but this is particularly so. Augusta is an amazing place. I have dreamt of putting the green jacket on my back Sunday afternoon and, of course, I am very driven to do the job.”

By winning this week McDowell will prove that he deserves to be in the conversation as one of the best players in the world.

Read more: Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy gear up for the US Masters