Masters TV Schedule 2012: Power Ranking Top 5 Most Exciting Golfers To Watch

The 2012 edition of the Masters is overflowing with anticipation.

With Tiger Woods regaining his old form, every other player on the tour is going to tighten up. The 30-month break is over and now the pressure at Augusta National is going to be at its highest point of the last five to 10 years.

But who are the players considered must-see TV? The guys that make you unable to change the channel in fear of missing another shot?

Here are the current top five heading into the most prodigious event of the entire PGA Tour.

(Complete TV Schedule)

ESPN - Thursday April 5, 2012 Live coverage from 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., EST (Replay 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.)
ESPN - Friday April 6, 2012 Live coverage from 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., EST (Replay 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.)
CBS - Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 3:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m., EST
CBS - Sunday, April 8, 2012 from 2:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m., EST. Includes all 18 holes of the final-round.

1. Tiger Woods

Not much to explain here. Woods is always must-see TV and now that he’s back the ratings are going to be through the roof. If he’s in contention on Sunday, expect the entire CBS crew to do a celebratory dance in the grassy field.

2. Rory McIlroy

The 22-year-old exploded onto the scene this past year and is now the second-ranked player in the world. The added intrigue of how he’ll rebound after blowing a four-stroke lead at last year’s event on Sunday makes his final round performance unbelievably intriguing this season.

3. Phil Mickelson

Lefty has gotten off to a strong 2012 and his risky approach to the game is always a blast to watch at Augusta. With Tiger back in the fold, a duel between these two on the back-nine would be every golf fan’s dream come true.

4. Luke Donald

The No. 1 ranked player in the world already has won the Transitions Championship earlier this year, but has still yet to win that elusive first major.  

The more opportunities blown mean the more pressure that will fall on his shoulders for these prestigious events. The quicker he can get the monkey off his back the better…just ask Mickelson.

5. Jason Day

Last year was his first-ever appearance at the Masters, and he almost won the whole thing. Day finished tied for second in one of the more shocking finishes in recent history.

What can he do for an encore?

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