Top 10 Players Who Could Win at the Masters

On Thursday, one of golf's most cherished traditions begins again. Not only is the Masters the first major tournament of the year, but it's a tournament every golfer wants to win and when they do, they are forever humbled.

Here are the top-10 players who have the best chance to wear the green jacket on Sunday. Enjoy!

Rory McIroy

The young stud from Ireland has two top-50 finishes this year, including a top-20 finish at the Accenture World Golf Match Championships in Arizona. In 2009, he played 11 events and made the cut 10 times.

Combined with a great swing and tempo, McIroy should make it into the weekend and finish within the top 20.

Angel Cabrera

The defending champion has been hiding below the radar the last couple months. He has admitted his game is a little off and his focus is not entirely there, but when he tees off on Thursday, be prepared to see a completely different golfer.

So far this year, Cabrera has made seven cuts out of seven events, which included a top-10 finish at the SBS Championship.

Chad Campbell

Campbell lost in a playoff in last year's Masters and finished tied for third in 2006, so don't be surprised if you see him again in the last pairing on Sunday.

Not to mention, he already has three top-25 finishes this year.

Steve Flesch

Despite having zero top-50 finishes this year, don't count out Steve Flesch. He finished tied for sixth at last year's Masters, and tied for fifth two years ago.

He doesn't drive the ball particularly long, but his putting is solid. He ranks in the top-50 with 1.77 average putts per hole.

Anthony Kim

The young phenom from California will definitely make some noise at Augusta. Fresh off last week's win at the Shell Open in Houston, Kim has the discipline and the talent to make a deep run.

He ranks fourth in scoring average and is second on the FedEx points system. He will easily make most of the par five greens in two shots because of his 290-yard plus driving average, but the slick and rolling greens will test his putting ability.

Jim Furyk

One word describes Jim Furyk...consistent.

He hasn't missed a cut at a major since 2007 and has finished in the top-35 the last five years at Augusta. With all that experience, Furyk will be a force at the Masters.

Padraig Harrington

The three-time major winner is hungry for another major championship. Could Augusta be his fourth major win?

I say there's a good chance.

The fiery Irishman has three top-20 finishes this year and ranks T-15th in scoring average. At Augusta, he notched three top-10s in 10 starts, including tied for fifth in 2008.

Steve Stricker

Currently ranked second in the world, which is his best career ranking, Steve Stricker deserves some praise.

He won the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles and already has two top-10 finishes this year. His game has improved dramatically every year since he was ranked 66th in the world in 2006.

Maybe timing is everything for Stricker, and winning the Masters will prove that.

Tiger Woods

This could be the toughest competitive tournament of Tiger Woods' life.

We all know what happened to him. The question on everybody's mind is, can he win? Ever since he became a professional, he has always been a favorite in major tournaments.

Why start doubting him now?

Woods should make it into the weekend and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes another famous "Tiger Charge" on the leaderboard come Sunday.

Ernie Els

Ernie Els is on fire. His game is at its highest peak and he is the clear favorite to win at Augusta.

Els won two tournaments and has two top-five finishes this year. He has a ton of Masters experience, including two runner-up finishes. He is first in scoring average on the tour, as well.

His smooth swing and accuracy should help him become an early leader at the Masters. Whoever got Els in their office pool should be thanking their lucky stars.

I definitely would.