Masters Predictions 2012: Rory McIlroy Will Hold off Tiger Woods to Win Masters

The story heading into the Masters has predictably been Tiger Woods-centric after he won his first tournament at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Will the Masters be the tournament where he finally wins another major? Can he make it five green jackets? Is he back?

Maybe he's back, I don't know, but I'm willing to predict this much—he won't be winning in Augusta, at least not this year. And that's because Rory McIlroy is standing in his way.

McIlroy has finished in the top 10 of all three tournaments he's played this year, including a win at the Honda Classic. He's capable of absolutely dominating a tournament, as he did at the U.S. Open last year.

And at least for three rounds, he was brilliant at the Masters last year as well before his tragic Sunday collapse, when he shot a shocking 80 to fall out of contention.

Don't think that McIlroy won't be focused and ready to roll for this year's Masters. He'll want to put to rest the memory of last year's collapse for sure.

And so the stage is set for two men with redemption stories to do battle at this year's event. Imagine for a moment a final pairing of Woods and McIlroy on Sunday, the tournament on the line?

Imagine Phil Mickelson nipping at each player's heels, making a late charge?

Wouldn't that be something?

Well, that's what I think we'll be seeing. I think Tiger plays this course well enough and has enough steam heading into the tournament to be a factor. Mickelson is pretty darn good at Augusta as well, with three green jackets of his own.

But I think the ascension of Rory McIlroy is upon us. The Masters may not be a changing of the guard just yet—Woods and Mickelson still have a lot of good golf in them—but the big boys are going to have to make room at the table for McIlroy.

In an epic Sunday to be remembered, I think he'll hold off the veterans to claim his first green jacket.

And it will be awesome to watch.

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