Tiger Woods: 4 Golfers Who Could Take Down Tiger at Augusta

With golf sensation Tiger Woods fresh off his first victory in more than 30 months in the Arnold Palmer Invitational this past weekend, he's expected to continue his great play en route to his fifth Masters title. 

Unfortunately for Woods, the field looks deeper and better than ever for this year's showdown at Augusta.

Many star golfers have emerged since Tiger's last major victory at the 2008 U.S. Open that he should be worried about. While Woods stands as good a chance as anyone, there will be some fantastic players ready to shoot out to an early lead.

Let's take a look at some golfers who could steal Woods' thunder at this year's Masters.

Graeme McDowell

McDowell has been relatively quiet since his stellar 2010 U.S. Open victory, but that feat alone proves his potential to explode at Augusta. 

He also finished as a runner-up in last weekend's Arnold Palmer Invitational to Woods. 

In his only major victory, he held off surges by Phil Mickelson and Woods alike. He's definitely got the clutch gene, but he'll need a stellar first three rounds to have a chance come Sunday.

Rory McIlroy

The 22-year-old McIlroy has had his share of close finishes in majors even in his young career, finishing third in three of the five majors he's placed in. 

McIlroy held the No. 1 ranking for some time after Woods, and won the 2011 U.S. Open in one of the most impressive performances we've seen in the past decade. 

With the way he's flung himself into relevance over the past three years, it's impossible to write off McIlroy as a favorite to win this year's Masters. 

Luke Donald

Donald is a polished veteran whose time has come to win his first major.

Currently the world No. 1, Donald has been playing excellently on the PGA Tour consistently, and there's no reason to believe he can't keep up the same form in Augusta on golf's brightest stage.

He has three tour wins since 2011.

Donald's best finish in a major came at the 2005 Masters where he tied for third, so he could use that experience to his advantage.

Phil Mickelson 

The four-time major winner could add to his collection with another brilliant showing at the Masters.

Mickelson shouldn't surprise anyone with his fourth Masters victory if he is able to pull it out. He won it in 2010 after being written off.

Mickelson's top play has him deserving of his spot back in the world golf rankings' top ten. Already ninth all-time in PGA Tour victories, Mickelson's legacy would be boosted even higher with a fifth major title.