Masters 2012: Luke Donald and 9 Others in Desperate Need of 1st Major

The Masters is golf's biggest stage. Augusta is Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall rolled into one—a place and a moment that cannot only make a player's career but also his life.

That is why this weekend is so important for these 10 golfers.

Some are aging veterans looking to add to a legacy that will last long after their final putt. Some are young guns looking to pave the way to the riches and fame that await them in the coming years.

Others have received almost every accolade they can imagine, except the one that means the most—the one they have craved since they were old enough to hold a club. For them, it is time to prove to their fans and to themselves that they are worthy. All these men are seeking their first major championship, and this is their opportunity to find it as the world watches.

1. Luke Donald

World Ranking: 1 

Age: 34

For four days this weekend, no man in golf has more to prove than Donald.

The 11-year veteran held the No. 1 ranking for 40 weeks before a brief two-week hiatus; he regained the ranking from Rory McIlroy on March 18. Donald has made all the money he'll ever need, winning both the PGA and European money lists last year. The Englishman just needs one more thing to complete his biography, and that is a major championship. 

2. Lee Westwood

World Ranking: 3 

Age: 38

Like Donald, Westwood has earned enough money and awards in his time to make anyone appreciate his abilities. Not a lot of golfers are as consistent as "Westy," but the issue with that consistency is that it is consistently just shy of enough.

In the 19 years he has been a professional, the English veteran has registered 12 top 10 finishes, including a second-place finish at the 2010 Masters. At this point in his career, Westwood is very familiar with Augusta. Whether or not that will translate into a much sought after win remains to be seen.

3. KJ Choi

World Ranking: 23 

Age: 41

A casual golf fan knows the name KJ Choi.

What they don't know is that Choi has never placed first in a major tournament.

Now on the wrong side of 40, he will make his eighth attempt at Augusta. With top 10 finishes in each of the past two Masters, the aging South Korean doesn't appear to be letting up.

4. Jason Day

World Ranking: 11 

Age: 24

A bright-eyed youngster, Day took Augusta by storm in 2011, as the Australian burst out to a second-place tie in his first-ever Masters.

Day already has broken the top 10 plateau, and with two second-place finishes in 2011 majors under his belt, he is well on his way to cementing a spot there.

However, that high a ranking for a man with only five major appearances on his record is questionable. A victory in a major would go a long way in silencing the critics.

5. Justin Rose

World Ranking: 8 

Age: 31 

Another high ranking for a man with zero major wins. In fact, in major tournaments, Rose has never really risen above a fifth-place finish.

This will be the Englishman's seventh shot at Augusta, and it's another chance to solidify himself as one of the world's best.

6. Webb Simpson

World Ranking: 9 

Age: 26

The first American on our list is a highly regarded young player who is making his first Masters appearance.

2011 was both kind and unkind to the North Carolina native. Simpson had opportunities to win his first PGA Tournament twice, but lost out on the final hole once and in a playoff the second time. He did win two more tournaments late in the year, though.

However, it is not good to earn a reputation as one who fades down the stretch, especially this early in one's career.

7. Adam Scott

World Ranking: 10 

Age: 31

Scott is a veteran who appears to be peaking in his career right now. After last year's second-place finish at Augusta, this Australian is chomping at the bit to get that first major. He also had a seventh-place finish at last year's PGA Championship.

8. Nick Watney

World Ranking: 19  

Age: 30

Watney became a fan favorite following seventh-place finishes at the 2010 Masters and Open Championship.

However, the California native has not done much lately for his fans to cheer about. He registered two wins in 2011 but also missed the cut on two of the major championships. Watney needs to play well this weekend to keep his name in the conversation.

9. Paul Casey

World Ranking: 32  

Age: 34

Casey is the only player to find himself on this list for reasons other than golf.

After a messy divorce negatively affected his game, Casey has been searching for the path back into fans' hearts. 2011 was not the Englishman's year, but he has two top 10 finishes in five starts at Augusta, so maybe this will be the stage for Casey to regain his prior form.

10. Steve Sticker

World Ranking: 5 

Age: 45

Stricker's age tells you he is in the twilight of his career, but his game is just as solid as it has ever been.

The Masters is always looking for a feel-good story, and this 22-year veteran may be just what fans want to see. Sticker has been remarkably consistent as of late and had top 20 finishes in each of the four majors last season, including an 11th place finish at Augusta.

A win at Augusta means an earth-shattering amount to any professional. However, when these 10 men square up in Georgia this Thursday, there is far more at stake than a simple victory.