Masters 2012: How Tiger Woods' Bay Hill Victory Reshapes the Field at Augusta

Tiger Woods' mindset is back to winning ways, and that does not bode well for the field at the 2012 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. 

With a five-shot lead as he approached the 18th hole on Sunday, Tiger felt at ease. He played it safe in the final holes to win the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first PGA Tour win since the 2009 BMW Championship. 

It was a long struggle to get back to a PGA Tour victory, but since it came on the heels of the 2012 Masters, all other competitors must beware. 

Yes, that's right, ladies and gentlemen: Tiger has his confidence back, and the field at Augusta has taken a drastic change. 

Had Tiger not won this event, the feeling around the golf world would be that anyone could win the first major of the 2012 season. 

That isn't the case now, as Tiger is poised and ready to dominate once again. He busted the mega slump he was in, and now he's going to thrive throughout the year. 

Sure, one victory doesn't replace all those horrendous outings Tiger had, but it certainly makes him feel better just two weeks before the Masters. 

Because of that, Tiger will be on his A-game for the biggest golf event of the year, and that means the rest of the golfers out there will be trembling. 

Listen, I'm not proclaiming he will win with ease, but now that he has the monkey off his back so to speak, it is certainly possible for Tiger to crush everyone else. 

Of course, that will be extremely difficult considering the tournament he's preparing to play in, but there's still a chance. If Tiger hadn't returned to his clutch ways and pulled out the victory this past Sunday at Bay Hill, his psychological approach to the game would still be hindered, which in turn would level the playing field at Augusta.   

Now Tiger can breathe free and easy. He knows his putter is still strong, and all he has to do is relax and believe in himself.

That was something that didn't happen all to often during the 923 days since he last won a PGA Tour tournament.

Since he picked up the victory, Tiger Woods has his mojo back so to speak, and all other competitors at the 2012 Masters will begin to fear the game's greatest player once again.