Tiger Woods Predictions: 5 Reasons Why He Will Win a Major in 2012

You have to go back to June 16th, 2008 to find the last time Tiger Woods was celebrating a major victory, as he beat Rocco Mediate in a playoff at Torrey Pines to capture his 14th major title.

It is fair to say then that no one that follows golf on a regular basis would have said Woods would still be sitting on 14 majors come 2012, but he is.

Woods is still trying to break Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles, but over the last two years he has stalled while trying to achieve this goal.

But to coin an old cliche, 2012 could be a new year and a new start for Woods and I am convinced the former world No. 1 will win one of golf's four big titles this year.

Let's take a look at the five main reasons why.

He's Back in Form

As with any sport, form is key. Last week in Abu Dhabi, Tiger Woods found some great form as he finished in a tie for third place.

The signs had been there towards the end of last year when he captured the Chevron World Challenge, albeit in a limited field.

Abu Dhabi featured a much a greater quality of field with all the world's top four appearing, plus other major winners like Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington.

He wasn't completely back to his brilliant best, but some of the old signs were there. This was evident in a majestic round of 66 on Saturday, which took him to the top of the leaderboard going into Sunday.

He may have faltered with the driver on Sunday to lose the title, but to finish in the top three of his first event of the season was a step in the right direction for Tiger after two years of struggle.

He Loves the Masters at Augusta

On Thursday the 5th of April, the world's best golfers will once again head to Georgia to tee off in the Masters.

Bookies across the world will make Tiger Woods one of their favorites to collect a fifth green jacket at Augusta, and rightly so.

Since winning by an incredible 12 strokes on his debut in 1997, Woods has always shown great admiration for the world famous course.

He has since collected three other green jackets and has finished in the top 10 for the last six years, even when he wasn't playing particularly well.

He Competed in Majors the Last Two Years Despite Not Being in Form

South African Charl Schwartzel may have won last years Masters, but what has largely been forgotten was a superb final round by Tiger Woods.

He started on Sunday seven shots behind overnight leader Rory McIlroy. Woods charged on the front nine, playing it in only 31 shots.

It was enthralling to watch and it was rather disappointing for many when he faltered on the back nine to finish in a tie for fourth.

However, it showed the sparks of the old Woods were still there. Indeed in 2010, when he was hopelessly out of form, he still managed to finish in ties for fourth at both Augusta and at the US Open at Pebble Beach.

There has always been something about Majors that has brought the best out of Woods and the fact he's back in form should see him win a Major in 2012.

He Is Still Adored by the Golfing Public

In any sport, a crowd backing can provide unparalleled inspiration to a team or an individual and golf is no different.

Since bursting on the scene in 1997, Tiger Woods has been adored by the golfing fans and the golfing media.

He has been the biggest draw the sport has seen over the last 15 years, and possibly ever.

Fans still love him despite his off-course misdemeanors. Even at last December's limited field event, the Chevron World Challenge, there was huge excitement when Woods won.

With legions of fans cheering him on at all four majors in 2012, Woods will be pumped up and in that form he's almost impossible to beat.

He Is Eager to Beat Jack Nicklaus' Major Record

Upon winning his sixth Masters title in 1986 at the incredible age of 46, Jack Nicklaus also collected his 18th and final major.

Many thought this record was impossible to beat. Little did the world know then that Tiger Woods would begin hunting down this record in just over ten years later.

However, with Woods having only 14 majors since 2008, many are saying that Nicklaus' record will remain untouched.

Woods has other ideas. He still believes he has time on his side to catch and overtake Jack's record and truly become the greatest golfer of all time.

It will be a major factor driving him on to at least one major in 2012.