OTTAWA -

Michael Ignatieff says the Masters golf tournament taught him an important lesson heading into Tuesday's televised leaders' debate.

The Liberal leader says he caught the final leg of Masters over the weekend, even though he predicted a few days ago that he wouldn't have time to tune in.

Charl Schwartzel, 26, of South Africa made four birdies over the final four holes to claim his first major title, while a resurgent Tiger Woods fell just short of his fifth green jacket.

"I was hoping Tiger was going to charge, and this great young South African guy just had nerves of steel," Ignatieff said during a stop at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont.

"So we're going to need nerves of steel Tuesday night."

Ignatieff is unwilling to reveal his strategy for his much-anticipated one-on-one showdown with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which will last only six minutes.

"I don't want to give Mr. Harper a hint of what's going to hit him," he joked.

He did say, however, that the debates -- Tuesday night in English, Wednesday night in French -- would be pivotal for voters.

"It's a moment when all the filters fall away, all the attack ads fall away -- with all due respect to you -- all the press fall away, and it's me in front of the Canadian people, Mr. Harper in front of the Canadian people," Ignatieff said.

"And they get to look at you. They get to study you. They get to see, 'Can I trust this man? Is he in it for the right reasons?' ... That's what it comes down to."

Sports also played a role in bumping up the French debate from Thursday -- the same night the Montreal Canadiens will face off in their first playoff game against the Boston Bruins.

There was little doubt Montreal hockey fans would choose the game over the debate, so the party leaders agreed to move it to Wednesday.

Before heading into debate prep lockdown Monday, Ignatieff went to a college campus to pitch the Liberals as the best choice for students.

He told an audience at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont., that his co-called "Learning Passport" will help them pay for college and university.

The passport would give post-secondary students $1,000 a year for four years -- $1,500 a year for students from low-income families.

He also highlighted Liberal election promises, such as Internet voting and a weekly Question Period that would be open to the public.

The Liberals are keen to hold on to the Kingston riding of former House of Commons Speaker Peter Milliken, who dropped by to lend his support.

Milliken said he doesn't envy TVOntario host Steve Paikin, who will be trying to keep the leaders in line as the moderator of Tuesday's debate.

"A leaders' debate is a different kettle of fish than a debate in the House," he said with a chuckle. "I'd rather preside over that, thanks."

Ignatieff's rivals were also largely absent from the campaign trail Monday as they prepared for the debates.

NDP Leader Jack Layton had no events planned and Harper's only appearance was at a morning photo-op.

Only Green party Leader Elizabeth May, who won't be participating in the debates, was putting in a full day of public appearances.