For the first two days, dry conditions have held scores in check and the sound down at the 71st Masters Tournament.

But so far, the absence of rain has been less striking than the absence of reigns at Augusta National Golf Club.

There are few events in all of sports that seem to favor those with previous success in them more than the Masters.

Sixteen players have won more than once. In the past five years, no fewer than three and as many as five past champions have finished in the top 10.

Last April, the top 10 included 10 Masters winners, including Phil Mickelson's second.

But at the midway point this year, there is only one green jacket among the top 10 players on the leaderboard. That belongs to Vijay Singh, who is at even par through two rounds, two shots off the lead.

None of the 17 previous winners in the field is under par at the midway point, while Craig Stadler, Mike Weir and Tiger Woods are each at 3-over.

While that might be as much coincidence as the diverse mixture of players at the top of the leaderboard today, it could also suggest that the recent changes at Augusta have neutralized the advantage familiarity always seemed to bring.

"This golf course is a tremendous golf course. You have to putt well, but with the length now some of the past champions who are maybe a little older can't hit the shots it takes," said 1998 champion Mark O'Meara. "That's part of golf. Power has always had an advantage. But now it's going to be harder for an average-length player to win here unless he chips and putts his mind out.

"But the good news is, I've won here. So I get to come back."

O'Meara, who shot 9-over through the first two days, is one of seven former winners who won't get to come back this weekend.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson made the cut at 5-over par, while three of the 10 jacket-holders who'll be playing the next two days also made it on the number.

Tom Watson, who was two shots ahead of the cut before a triple bogey at No. 18, missed by one. But he doesn't believe that his struggles or those of any other past champions indicate anything more than who has played the best on a demanding golf course.

"This golf course is very difficult, and you have to play defense out there," said the 1977 and 1981 Masters champion. "You have to hit a lot of good shots to make birdies, and that's tough to do. And these greens are as tough as I've seen right now.

"It's not unfair. It will just favor a veteran player or a person who has played this golf course a lot or someone who has learned this golf course."

One past champion said it's still too early to have learned much about this Masters, or who will contend for its title.

"Give it time," 1979 champion Fuzzy Zoeller said. "This is a four-day tournament. I think we'll see (past champions) pop up there."

And even if he hadn't chipped in for par on the final hole to make the cut with no room to spare at 8-over, Zoeller says he would have maintained one advantage of a Masters champion.

"Hey, I'm gonna be here," he said before knowing whether he would make the weekend. "If I'm not out here playing, I'll be up there having lunch. But I'm going to be here. All I'm worried about is the sun rising in the morning. I can handle the rest."

Reach Tim Guidera at (912) 652-0352.