2012 Masters Field: Odds, Favorites and Tournament Preview

The 2012 Masters is one of the most anticipated events in golf history. This grand tournament can be counted as one of golf's great events every year, but this year is different. 

This year is about the return of Tiger Woods. The world's former No. 1 picked up his first PGA victory in 30 months less than two weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

That was his last time on the course, and he was dominant. Now he is the favorite to win this event. 

He is not the runaway favorite he was in the old days, though. That is because there is a certain current world's No. 1 named Rory McIlroy right behind him. 

The beautiful dream of a scenario where Tiger and Rory go head-to-head on a Sunday on golf's biggest stage is a very real possibility. Unless of course one of the other well-qualified and highly capable golfers in the field gets in their way. 

The Masters will tee off on Thursday, April 4th. To help prepare for the year's first major, here is a run down of five favorites, all odds according to Bovada, and a handful of dark horses. 

Tiger Woods, 7/2

Woods is the favorite for good reason. He is playing nearly as good as he ever has. His driving distance is outstanding. His drive accuracy is close to his career best mark from his spectacular 2000 season. His irons are magnificent, and his putting is solid. 

And everyone knows, he loves Agusta. If Woods plays his best, he will not lose. Rory has the talent to make it interesting, but he would need Tiger to at least a couple down holes. 

The biggest question is: Can Tiger hold that form for four rounds? Until the win at the Arnold Palmer, this was not something he was able to do. 

Rory McIlroy, 9/2

McIlroy definitely has the game for Agusta. That much became clear when he took a four-stroke lead into the final round at last year's Masters. 

What happened next is the stuff of chokers legend. McIlroy totally disintegrated and stumbled to a choke-tastic final round score of 80. 

Shockingly enough, this did not ruin him for life but appeared to make him stronger. He has been playing fantastic ever since. He claimed the world's No. 1 spot earlier this season. He already has a win at the Honda Classic, and he has been in contention in every event he has played this year.

He is the clear choice for favored golfer not named Tiger Woods. 

Phil Mickelson, 11/1

Lefty could win this tournament, or he could miss the cut. So what else is new? 

The insanely streaky golfer is having another up and down year. He looked as good as ever earlier in the season when he won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and then finished second the following week at the Northern Trust Open. 

His three events prior to that he finished 26th, 49th and missed the cut. His two events after that he finished 43rd and 24th. 

The 24th came his last time on the course at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and he showed some brilliant flashes and also disturbing trends. 

It is impossible to predict what he will do at Agusta this year, except to say that it will be entertaining. 

Lee Westwood, 14/1

14/1 seems far too low for Westwood. Yes, the guy is clearly an elite golfer, but he is also one without a victory at a major. 

Until he proves he can cross that bridge, people will have a hard time convincing me he can win at Agusta. Making this number especially troubling is the fact that he is coming off his worst performance of the season with a 29th place finish at the WGC Cadillac Championship. 

Luke Donald, 14/1

Luke Donald is a slightly more enticing bet at 14/1 than Westwood, even though he has yet to win a major, because he looked far better on the course the last time out. 

Donald's last event was a victory at the Transitions. Prior to that he was 12-under and finished sixth at the Cadillac Championship. It was a solid showing and he needed it. He was slumping heading into it.

Donald had a fine showing here last year as he finished in fourth place at 10-under. Still, until he proves he can handle the pressure of the major, this is a risky bet. 

Dark Horses

This tournament isn't all about the favorites. This is a top field, and it is loaded with players capable of pulling off a huge victory. 

Here are a few guys with lower odds that will be fun to watch. 

Justin Rose, 28/1

In the month of March, Rose finished fifth, first, 29th, fourth and 15th. That is a solid month. He is a consistent and steady player that is good enough to win a major. It would be a surprise if he wasn't in contention on Sunday. 

Dustin Johnson, 40/1; Bubba Watson, 40/1

Let's just throw these two together. Both are capable of dominating any course they play, and both have question marks if they enter Sunday with a lead. 

Both guys have been playing solid golf but have not won yet this season. 

Fred Couples 150/1

Long shots don't get much longer than 150/1. Is Couples going to win? It is almost for sure he won't. He is 52, after all, and he has a hard time getting his back to hold up for four rounds. 

However, Couples is a past champion, and he has a game well suited for this course. He held the lead in 2010 before slipping on the final day, and he won the Champions event this past weekend.