Tiger Woods and the Masters: Bold Predictions for Tiger's Opening Round

The most anticipated golf event since Tiger's return is upon us. Tiger at Augusta in 2012 will be bananas in regard to coverage, each round and hole Tiger plays will be followed by the world.

A fast start could be key for Tiger. Before the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he had been digging a hole for himself in the first rounds of the the tournaments this year.

If he shoots an impressive opening round, he could run away and hide from the field. Here is my hole-by-hole prediction for Tiger's opening round.

Hole 1 - Par 4 - 445 yards (Tea Olive)

This is a straight shot, and it favors a player that is strong off the tee like Woods. It's an excellent chance at a birdie, and I think Tiger grabs one here.

Birdie -1 (Total Score: 3) 

Hole 2 - Par 5 - 575 yards (Pink Dogwood)

A long par 5, which genuinely would be setup nicely for Tiger, but the dog leg brings a bit more difficulty. The bunker on the right can produce some difficulties, or at least remove some aggression off the tee.

Once on the green, Tiger should be able to single putt to finish. Still—this should be a par.

Par -1 (Total Score: 8)

Hole 3 - Par 4 - 350 yards (Flowering Peach)

A very short par 4, but it requires some unique placement. This is the first of the key holes on the course, and this is where Tiger could get a leg up on the field. I predict he'll deliver an eagle here to take early control on day one.

Eagle -3 (Total Score: 10)

Hole 4 - Par 3 - 250 yards (Flowering Crab Apple)

Tiger has used a 4 or 5 iron here in the past with some success. Today, I suspect he'll use a four, but I'm not expecting a birdie here. He'll settle for a tap in for par.

Par -3 (Total Score: 13)

Hole 5 - Par 4 - 455 yards (Magnolia)

Another fairly long par 4 with deep bunkers. Any player that lands there could be in serious peril. This is the second key hole of the day for Tiger and the field. I predict Tiger escapes with a par.

Par -3 (Total Score: 17)

Hole 6 - Par 3 - 180 yards (Juniper)

This par 3 is downright evil. It has more slopes than a ski resort and it makes it difficult to get close to the hole. With Tiger already enjoying a decent day, he'll play it safe and take the par...that is, until he misses a ten 10 foot putt, and taps in for a profanity laced bogey.

Bogey -2 (Total Score: 21)

Hole 7 - Par 4 - 450 yards (Pampas)

The green is surrounded by bunkers and it spells major trouble for the field. This is the third key hole on the course in my opinion. I predict Tiger will find one of those bunkers as he approaches the green. But, he will recover to save the par, and avoid back to back bogeys.

Par -2 (Total Score: 25)

Hole 8 - Par 5 - 570 yards (Yellow Jasmine)

This is a massive par 5, but Tiger will be fine as long as he stays to the left off the tee. Blasting a 300+ yard drive, Tiger will be in perfect position. He could go for the eagle, but he'll settle for another birdie.

Birdie -3 (Total Score: 29)

Hole 9 - Par 4 - 460 yards (Carolina Cherry)

If Woods blasts away off the tee he'll be fine, if he stays to the right. It's a difficult second shot on this hole with bunkers in play. Tiger's mid-range game has been solid of late, and he'll place this one nicely in the cup for a par.

Par -3 (Total Score: 33)

Hole 10 - Par 4 - 495 yards (Camelia)

This is where Tiger can take control, and this is also the hole that detroyed Rory McIlroy last year. If Tiger can stay away from the trees, he could make hay here. I'm predicting a strong hole that finishes with a birdie.

Birdie -4 (Total Score: 36)

Hole 11 - Par 4 - 505 yards (White Dogwood)

This is the biggest hole of the event for Tiger. It has pretty much dictated the outcome for him. Per Scott Miller of ESPN:

"

In 2007, he was stymied against a pine and sacrificed his 4-iron to hack the ball out of the woods; in 2010, his punch shot ricocheted off the base of a tree. How crucial has 11 been? In Woods' four wins, he's played the hole in 5-under par. The other 11 years? A pine-scented 12-over.

"

My prediction is that Tiger stays out of the woods, and delivers a blazing tee shot, that sets him up for an efficient par.

Par -4 (Total Score: 40)

Hole 12 - Par 3 - 155 yards (Golden Bell)

This can be a problem with hazards all around, but Tiger hasn't had major issues in the past. In fact, I predict a birdie on Augusta's shortest hole.

Birdie -5 (Total Score: 42)

Hole 13 - Par 5 - 510 yards (Azalea)

A par five that gets very difficult after the tee shot. Playing it safe, Tiger is looking to settle for a par, but again misses a 10 to 15 foot putt, and bogeys the hole.

Bogey -4 (Total Score: 48)

Hole 14 - Par 4 - 440 yards (Chinese Fir)

There are no bunkers on 14, but the putting surface is dastardly. Tiger will gather himself after a disappointing 13th hole and nail a birdie.

Birdie -5 (Total Score: 51)

Hole 15 - Par 5 - 530 yards (Firethorn)

With tree hazards on the right, Tiger needs to be straight off the tee. I predict he'll find a little trouble, but not a bad enough lie miss par.

Par -5 (Total Score: 56)

Hole 16 - Par 3 - 170 yards (Redbud)

Tiger had a memorable shot here in 2005, when he made a put that went past the hole and came back for a birdie. No memorable moments this time, just another solid par.

Par -5 (Total Score: 59)

Hole 17 - Par 4 - 440 yards (Nandina)

Here I predict Tiger will find one of the two bunkers at the front of the green. Again, he'll battle out to save par and keep his solid day going.

Par -5 (Total Score: 63)

Hole 18 - Par 4- 465 yards (Holly)

This could be a problematic hole for the field, as accuracy off the tee is essential. If Tiger stays away from the trees, he will pull together a great finish to his first round with another birdie.

Birdie -6 (Total Score: 66)

My first round prediction for Tiger is a -6 under 66. That should most certainly be good enough to have him amongst the leaders, if not ahead of the pack.

Let's watch today to see if I'm on the money.