Masters 2012: Why an Underdog Is Destined To Win at Augusta Again

For all the talk of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, et al. this week at The Masters, the real winners will be the under-the-radar players that no one is talking about right now. 

Think about it: Who really knew about Charl Schwartzel last year before winning The Masters?

As much as the PGA Tour, CBS and fans want to see those three at or near the top of the leaderboard next Sunday, the odds of that happening are not good right now. 

Woods might be the odds on favorite to walk away with his fifth Green Jacket after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago, but you still have to wonder if his putting is going to hold up since he has struggled with it for most of the year. 

McIlroy has had moments of brilliance throughout his young career, though he has also frustrated at times because of his inability to overcome mental roadblocks. 

Mickelson is always a wild card. He can look great one day and then be an entirely different player the next. 

Instead, the underdogs are going to rule the roost at Augusta this week. Just look at some of the names that have won tournaments already this year. Players like Johnson Wagner, Mark Wilson, Brandy Snedeker, Kyle Stanley and Hunter Mahan have been holding trophies on Sunday. 

The Masters is an entirely different environment than the Sony Open, but that doesn't mean these accomplishments should be dismissed. 

In order to win at Augusta, you must hit the ball long and accurate. That bodes well for players like Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and Heath Slocum. 

All you have to do is look at some of the names that have won this tournament in the last 10 years to see that someone is going to come out of nowhere to steal a Green Jacket from one of big dogs. 

Players like Mike Weir, Zach Johnson, Trevor Immelman and Schwartzel have emerged from the shadows to claim the Masters. 

Given the volatile nature of the course, the parity making its way through golf right now and the depth of the field this year, don't be shocked when some new star takes over The Masters. 

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