Masters 2012: Tiger Woods and Contenders Guaranteed to Fail

The Masters is as much about the majesty and pageantry of the week in Augusta, Georgia as it is the tournament itself. That is why getting wrapped up in who will win is a futile effort. 

So many things happen on this course that it is impossible to predict who is going to win, but we do have some insight as to the players who will struggle to make their mark when the 2012 Masters tees off on Thursday. 

Some of the biggest players in the world will struggle to break through this week due to at least one fatal flaw that will cost them everything. 

Here is a look at the best players who should be bracing themselves for disappointment. 

Tiger Woods

For whatever reason, when Woods was going through his struggles the previous two years, he always managed to stay in contention for the green jacket at Augusta National Golf Course. Perhaps he is just more comfortable playing in this tournament. 

That being said, he has not been able to get over that Masters hurdle since 2005, his longest active drought in any major tournament. He performs well, but when push comes to shove he hasn't been able to stand tall. 

Winning at the Arnold Palmer Invitational was a big step for Woods. He proved that he is still capable of putting everything together for four rounds. The consistency just hasn't been there for him the last two years, and it would be foolish to expect that it will just make its way back now. 

Rory McIlroy

The golden child of golf after Woods fell off the map, McIlroy was the talk of the Masters last year for a lot of reasons. After the third round, he was leading the event and well on his way to claiming the jacket. 

The collapse on Sunday was one that turned all those good feelings into pity. He bounced back by winning the U.S. Open, but you just know everyone is going to talk about the final round in 2011. 

That kind of talk is bound to grate on McIlroy's nerves, so much so that he finds it hard to concentrate on the task at hand. He is a mentally strong athlete, so he can overcome it. But history does not bode well for his chances this weekend. 

Hunter Mahan

Mahan has been one of the most consistent players on tour this season. He is accurate off the tee and reads greens as well as anyone playing in the PGA right now. 

The problem that Mahan faces is that his style doesn't translate well to Augusta. For success on this course, you must be able to hit the ball long off the tee to pick up shots on the par-fives and the long par-fours. 

He can stay in contention because his accuracy is so good, but eventually he will fade due to his lack of power driving the ball. 

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