Let’s start with the defending champion, Trevor Immelman. Now, no one really expected him to win last year, especially when he went head to head with Tiger Woods on the last day. Despite being the reigning champion, the press reported him as coming in under the radar. Their radar was focussed on the return of Tiger Woods.

Something similar happened this year with Padraig Harrington. He came into the Masters on the back of victories in the last two Majors – The US PGA at Oakland Hills and The Open at Royal Birkdale. Despite some talk of a “Paddy Slam” in the Irish press, Padraig downplayed his chances of a third reportedly saying. "I do fear my opponents, but I fear myself more."

Interestingly it was Paul Casey, after his maiden US PGA Tour win at Houston, who said that he would still back Harrington to win the Masters. “He’ll sneak under the radar,” said Casey. “I’d still put money on Padraig. I don’t think you should read anything into a couple of missed cuts from him early in the season“; he went on to say, “It’s very early. I’m sure he’s not particularly worried. I’m sure he’s working harder than ever. I think we should be worried.”

Elsewhere, Graeme McDowell was reported as the most laid-back man at Augusta. Talking about the amount of attention being paid to his compatriots, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy, he was quoted as saying,” That suits me fine.”

Canadian Mike Weir was reported as not minding being out of the glare focussed on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and saying, “it’s kind of nice in a way to again be going under the radar.”

So did they benefit from “flying under the radar” or did it hinder them? Well there’s no obvious way of telling, but none of them came close to winning, despite their undoubted talents. I recognise that flying under the radar of the press leaves a player free to get on with their own game – at least until they get into contention over the last 18 holes.

My real concern would be I they wanted to be under the radar in order to lower expectations of their winning. Even if this is done for positive constructive reasons, the unconscious mind is likely to take it as a sign of lowered expectation rather than confidence. I can’t see Tiger Woods wanting to come in under the radar.

He played there after being told what a tough course it was going to be. He mentioned the great greens, the way that lots of run off areas were shaved down low and the high swirling winds. What a perfect set up in the run in to the Masters.

Casey was clearly focussed and in the zone, as he explained at the press conference, “I kept my head down, to be honest, and didn’t pay too much attention to what was going on. I just thought it was incredibly difficult out there, so why burden myself with knowing too much.” He went on to say, “It wasn’t until the last green I looked up when I was in the bunker and knew I had to get up and down to beat J.B. Otherwise a play off.” He went on to beat long-hitting J.B. Holmes in the playoff.

Now this isn’t the same Paul Casey who went into a dramatic slump back in 2005. The new Casey has rebuilt himself to a new level with the help of sports Psychologist, Dr Don Greene, as well as coach, Peter Kostis. Back then, Casey was losing his way mentally and that was impacting his golf physically as well. Now he’s about as far from a slump as can be imagined.

So, who exactly is Don Greene? Well he’s no ordinary golf psychologist. He started out as a champion diver and Green Beret before earning his doctorate in sports psychology. For the last 25 years he’s been working with people under pressure ranging from police SWAT officers, through professional golfers, Grand Prix drivers, Olympic athletes and for the last 15 years he’s been specialising in the performing arts with musicians, singers and actors – and Paul Casey.