Luke Donald is poised to contradict a lot of trendy truisms.

That a short hitter (he ranks 156th on the PGA Tour in driving distance) can't win the Masters Tournament.

That driving accuracy (he's 13th in that category) no longer matters.

That anyone under 6 feet tall (he's maxed out at 5-9) never again can be ranked No. 1 in the world.

Currently up to No. 10 in the world ranking, Donald is on a quiet mission to prove more. His return to Augusta National after a third-place finish in his Masters debut makes this week a good place to start.

"I think I have a great game for majors," Donald said. "I'm very steady, and that's the main reason why I think if I keep playing the way I'm playing, there's no reason why I can't strive to be the best player in the world. If I can compete and win majors, then surely I can be the best player in the world."

Despite his relative lack of power off the tee, Donald has the tools that many people overlook when it comes to being a winner at Augusta National. And with an enhanced emphasis on accuracy and iron play, he just might fit the mold of former multiple Masters champions such as Jose Maria Olazabal, Bernhard Langer and fellow Englishman Nick Faldo.

"I think hitting long irons is one of my strengths," Donald said. "When I first played the Masters, I thought it was a good course for me. Those greens being very sectioned off and very fast, you have to be very accurate with your iron play. So I thought it set up well for me."

Augusta's greens are in some ways similar to the ones players encountered last month at the Honda Classic, where Donald won his first official 72-hole PGA Tour event. That building block, on top of his charging victory against a short but stout field at Tiger Woods' Target World Challenge in December, has him tracking well into his second full major season.

"I've worked as hard as I have at any time in my career, and I'm ready to have a great year," said Donald. "I think I'm at the stage where I should be competing every week."

He feels the same about the major championships. In 2005, Donald played all four for the first time, starting strong and making the cut in every one but only contending at the Masters. He feels more prepared for his second time around.

"In all of the majors I got off to great starts; I think I might have shot in the 60s all four majors in the first round, but couldn't keep it going," he said. "I think that has a little bit to do with expectations. That's what I have to do this year is I expect to play well, but when I get into contention, I've got to put less pressure on myself. I've got to go out there and enjoy it, have more fun and just play the golf I know I can play."

He learned a major lesson from two of the best at the British Open at St. Andrews. Paired with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, he was at center stage for the greatest major champion's last competitive round. The intensity affected him that day, but the experience may prove invaluable.

"Just to experience the atmosphere of those crowds at St. Andrews, you're walking up the 18th, every window of every building there were people watching out," he said. "I saw Ernie Els looking out on the 17th of the hotel. I mean, everyone was watching. This was a huge moment in golf and to be playing with him was pretty special.

"I don't think you can get a bigger arena in golf almost than playing with Jack Nicklaus in his last Open at St. Andrews. So if that didn't prepare me, then nothing really will. That's a good thing that came out of it. I think when I get in that situation again, I'll be very prepared."

Augusta might be the place to break through. The only players from Great Britain to win majors on American soil since Tony Jacklin at the 1970 U.S. Open all made it happen at the Masters - Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle.

Considering that the last major winner from the British Isles was Scotland's Paul Lawrie at the 1999 British Open, many eyes are on Donald to step up.

"I think it's been, what, seven years now since Paul Lawrie won?" Donald said. "I think they are restless for a major winner, that's for sure. I'm going to try and do my best to remedy that."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.