Masters Predictions 2012: Projecting the Top 3 Finishers at Augusta

With the Houston Open coming to a close, it's time to start looking at who has the best shot at winning the 2012 Masters.

Will it be the surging Tiger Woods, whose victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational sent chills up our spines? Will it be young Rory McIlroy, who hopes to rid his demons at Augusta? Or will it be a sleeper, like Charl Schwartzel was last year when he captured the green jacket?

Here's a look at who I see finishing in the top three at this year's Masters.

3. Phil Mickelson

I was pretty hard on Phil Mickelson headed into the Houston Open, given he frankly hadn't been playing very good golf before Redstone.

But, Mickelson has started off well at the Houston Open, shooting nine under (par) through two rounds and tied for fourth place.

I don't know what it is about Mickelson, but he can play poorly leading up to the Masters, and right when he sniffs Augusta, turn it on like no other.

Mickelson is showing shades of 2010, when he captured the Houston Open en route to his third career green jacket. Expect him to be in the thick of it when the final round comes around at Augusta.

2. Tiger Woods

It's not just that Tiger Woods played better than he had since the 2011 Masters at the Arnold Palmer Invitational: it's that he won.

Speak all you want about Woods' revitalized golf game, winning is more important than anything.

I truly believe that with his victory at Bay Hill, Woods' confidence soared. In my mind, the biggest obstacle for Woods these past two years was getting his head straight.

I don't think Woods will win, but I expect him to play very good golf at the Masters, knowing this may be his last legit shot at another green jacket.

1. Rory McIlroy

I really do think this is Rory McIlroy's year to win the big one.

Ever since his fateful final round at Augusta last year, McIlroy has played exceptional golf, blowing away records at the 2011 U.S. Open and continuing his solid play in 2012.

He's only played in five total tournaments this year, but McIlroy placed second at Abu Dhabi and the Accenture Match Play Championship and he won the Honda Classic. He's coming off a third place finish at the Cadillac Championship in which he shot a 14-under(-par) 274.

You can talk about McIlroy choking at Augusta last year all you want, but, the fact of the matter is, he's a better golfer and a more composed golfer now. He's ranked No. 2 in the world for a reason.

A showdown between McIlroy and Woods down the stretch would be great for golf and I believe it will happen.

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