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It seems a lot longer than eight months ago that Sergio Garcia's challenge imploded at Oakland Hills and Padraig Harrington marched to a second successive Major title.

Harrington's relentless performance at the US PGA Championship completed a vintage year at the Majors, played out with an eclectic cast of veterans, proven performers, nearly-men and rising stars.

It all began at Augusta 12 months ago, where an unfancied Trevor Immelman held his nerve to see off Tiger Woods and become the second South African to don the green jacket after Gary Player.

The real drama began in June, however, when a one-legged Tiger summoned every ounce of his genius to force a play-off with Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines - who could forget THAT putt at 18?

Even more surprising was the fact Mediate held his own in the Monday 18-hole play-off to force a 'play-off play-off' at the par-four seventh. Suffice to say, he bogeyed and Tiger won Major number 14.

But knee surgery meant the great man would not play competitively again in 2008, leaving two Majors Tiger-free.

Step forward Harrington, who defended his Open title at Royal Birkdale with a dominant display to thwart Greg Norman's fairytale quest for a third Major at the age of 53.

England's Ian Poulter produced a late surge to finish runner-up, and there was a second-round 65 from Camilo Villegas to suggest the flamboyant Colombian could well have Major success in his future.

On to Oakland Hills they went, where Harrington would duel Spain's Garcia for the right to become the first European winner of the US PGA Championship since Tommy Armour in 1930.

Garcia and Harrington had battled before - at Carnoustie in the 2007 Open - but this time there would be no need for a play-off. Garcia found the water at 16 to surrender a one-shot lead and Harrington proceeded to sink a birdie putt at the par-three 17th that would give him victory.

It was yet another Major disappointment for Garcia, but he has responded well with an early victory on the new-fangled Race to Dubai and will surely break his duck on his biggest stage sooner rather than later.

And so, here we are, barely hours away from the first Major of 2009 and with anticipation at fever pitch.

Woods, as you may have read, is back and apparently as good if not better than ever. But don't expect the world number one to waltz to a 15th Major at Augusta.

The challengers are many and varied. Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy are in fine form and both are eminently capable of denying Tiger a fifth Masters triumph, as is US Tour champion Vijay Singh. And Garcia is just too talented to be overlooked.

Then you have the next generation. Rory McIlroy is only 19, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the Northern Irishman could become the youngest player in history to don the green jacket.

Japan's Ryo Ishikawa is even younger at 17, and though it is surely too soon for the man they call 'The Bashful Prince' to win at Augusta, it will be fascinating watching him try. The same could be said for 18-year-old New Zealand amateur Danny Lee, who has already won on the European Tour.

The American challenge could come from the precocious Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim, or perhaps an unheralded name like Nick Watney - who has been irresistible on Tour this season.

It would be also foolish to rule out the old guard, with South Africa's Retief Goosen and Kenny Perry of the US two to watch from the 40-plus bracket.

Who knows, maybe the Great White Shark has another last salvo in him, and who would begrudge Norman the chance to make amends for his crushing collapse to Nick Faldo in 1996.

As for the British and Irish challenge, McIlroy and Harrington look set to lead the charge, but Poulter, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Oliver Wilson have the all-round game to threaten if they can avoid mental frailties.

Whatever happens, you get the feeling this edition of the Masters could be a little bit special. But then Augusta always is.

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Will Tidey / Eurosport