Masters Predictions: Third Time Will Be the Charm for Tiger

Is the third time the charm? Is it Tiger Woods' time again?

After winning at Bay Hill a couple of weeks ago, who wouldn't like to think so?

Tiger Woods may have been locked in the cage for a long period of time, but he's finally clawed through the prison-like feeling of not winning a tournament for three years and is back to the Eldrick that we all know and love.

Now that the most prestigious tournament in all of golf gets underway tomorrow, this may be the most intriguing Masters that we've seen in a long time. Any valid contender can make a great case as to why they could win the green jacket on Sunday.

The list is a pretty good one. There's the ever-dangerous three-time champion Phil Mickelson, who produces a plethora of moments at Augusta that live with us forever. You have the 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell, who has turned into a dangerous threat out of nowhere the last few years and finished second in Bay Hill this year. And you can't forget about Rory McIlroy, who is probably still fuming from his collapse at Augusta last year.

But then, waiting patiently, is Tiger.

If the Arnold Palmer Invitational taught us anything, it's that Tiger is back to instilling the fear into his competition like he has for so many years. With McDowell and Woods going back and forth, Tiger played smart, whereas McDowell shot a 2-over on the back nine, sealing the win for The Man in the Red Shirt.

But if The Masters over the last two years have taught us anything, it's that Tiger has made the last two trips at Augusta very interesting.

Since he came back from his hiatus (putting that lightly) in 2010, the two tournaments where Tiger has been in contention before this year's Bay Hill, are the last two Masters tournaments. The only thing that prevented Tiger from winning those two tournaments were the back nines on the final round.

In 2010, Woods hit eagle and a couple of birdies, but he missed some key putts that would've lowered his score even further, and Mickelson just made some of the most amazing shots that any spectator has ever seen.

Then last year, after shooting perhaps the greatest front nine I've ever seen in my years watching golf to take the lead going to the back nine, Woods three-putt's for bogey and misses a five-foot eagle to put him further away from contention. Before we know it, someone named Charl Schwartzel wins the green jacket.

The win at Bay Hill was just what Tiger needed. Already knowing he's guaranteed to play his best golf at Augusta, and knowing what it feels like to win again, is why the third time will be the charm for Tiger and why he will secure the green jacket again. Barring the back nine becoming his enemy again.

Now that Woods knows how to win again, the pressure won't be stacking on top of him like the weight of 20 mountains. If he went into Augusta still without a win under his belt, then a good majority of people would be inclined to take the field. But Tiger can now go to The Masters and play relaxed and fun golf.

And you don't want a playful Tiger devouring your competition.