Interesting, then, that the game’s top-ranked player walked around the property the last few years in almost complete anonymity.

“I can remember, two years ago, there were a bunch of people next to the first green and they said, ‘Who is that guy?’ ’’ said that guy, Martin Kaymer. “And I was ranked sixth in the world [then], but now I’m No. 1 in the world. Now maybe they know me.’’

As the 75th Masters begins today, Kaymer, a soft-spoken, 26-year-old German, will attempt to change recent history, both personal and geographical. He’s never made the cut in three previous cracks at the year’s first major, and a European hasn’t slipped on a winner’s jacket since 1999, capping a stretch in which they won eight of 12.

But golf has witnessed some seismic changes the past few years, starting at the top. While many still assume four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods will be in the mix come Sunday, he hasn’t won anything in 17 months, and sits seventh in the world rankings, his lowest perch in 14 years.

Whatever you’d like to call what Woods currently finds himself in as he retools his swing — decline, slump, limbo, comeuppance — it’s opened the door for others to grab a share of what Woods had monopolized. In fact, six players have a shot at becoming the top-ranked player in the world with a win this week, including Woods.

Lee Westwood took over the No. 1 spot last November, and was supplanted in February by Kaymer, just one of many twentysomethings who are proving that they’re talented, fearless, and perfectly comfortable near the lead during golf’s glam weeks.

This one certainly qualifies.

Kaymer has been there, and done that. He broke through last August at the PGA Championship, beating Bubba Watson in a three-hole playoff at Whistling Straits for his first major title, exhibiting the calm demeanor and efficient, steady form that quickly brought comparisons to another German, Bernhard Langer.

Proving the PGA was no fluke, Kaymer has been solid this year, winning a star-studded European Tour event that had Woods and Mickelson in the field, and losing to Luke Donald in the Match Play final. Despite the loss, he became world No. 1 the next day, and the day after that, he received a surprise visit from his father, Horst, who flew from Germany to Kaymer’s home in Arizona to celebrate the accomplishment. Kaymer’s mother, Rina, died in 2008.

“After the PGA, I know that I was getting close to No. 1, but I was not thinking that it would happen very soon,’’ Kaymer said. “After the [Match Play], I thought it would be quite nice to tee it up in Augusta as the No. 1 in the world.’’

He will, and as his 10:19 a.m. tee time with Westwood and Matt Kuchar awaits today, Kaymer comes in with a slightly different approach. He’s worked hard at being able to draw the ball, something he feels gives players an advantage here. Also, in a bid to improve his 0-for-3 effort at Augusta National, Kaymer took the past two weeks off. Call it superstition.

“The last two years, I played in Houston [the week before the Masters]. But obviously, I didn’t really play well here, never made the cut. So I needed to change something,’’ Kaymer said. “If you miss the cut three times, then it really can’t get any worse.’’

Kaymer hasn’t been awful here, missing the cut by one shot in 2008, and two shots each of the past two years. Back then, though, few people knew who he was. Now they do. Maybe that’s what was missing.

If Kaymer wins — or Westwood, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, or any of the other Europeans in the field — it will end a dubious drought for our friends across the Atlantic. Starting with Sandy Lyle’s 1988 victory, a European triumphed eight times over the next 12 years, turning the Masters into their personal showcase. But Jose Maria Olazabal’s win in 1999 has been the last one.

Perhaps the axis is starting to tilt in Europe’s favor. McDowell won last year’s US Open, holed the winning putt in the Ryder Cup, and Europeans hold five of the top six spots in the world golf rankings, and six of the top nine.

Consider the challenge issued.

“If you’re playing with an American, and you’re a European, and you’re playing in America, you know they are going to be cheering for the other guy,’’ said Westwood, who took a one-shot lead into the final round last year, only to lose to Phil Mickelson.

A tournament that a week ago seemed to be as wide open as any in recent memory now has a strong favorite in Mickelson. The defending champion won for the first time since then at last week’s Shell Houston Open, looking very much like the confident player who has three wins at Augusta National since 2004. Experience helps, as does the ability to hit the ball far enough to navigate the 7,435 yards without getting out of one’s comfort zone. But it’s confidence on this course and at this tournament, more than anything, that separates Mickelson from almost everybody else.

“It’s certainly my favorite week of the year,’’ Mickelson said. “When I come back to Augusta National, I just remember how much I loved it as a kid, dreamed of playing in the Masters and winning this tournament and being a part of it.

“I have felt great on this golf course even before I won here. I felt like it was a course I could play well on.’’

History has proven that. Over the next four days, whether it be Mickelson, Kaymer, Woods, or someone else, a winner will emerge, a new Masters chapter written.

Like always, the champion will want time to stand still.

Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com.