2012 Masters Picks: Rory McIlroy and Young Stars That Will Shine

This year’s Masters gathers some of the most talented young players. Of course Rory McIlroy made the list, but he’s not the only one who will make the course shine.

While many eyes will be focused on Tiger Woods—probably even yours and mine—you have to give them a glare, as they will strive to show the world what they are made of.

So, without further ado, who are these guys?

Keegan Bradley

At age 25, Keegan Bradley has already won twice on the PGA, including the tour's final major, the PGA Championship, which by the way was the first time he played the event.

Bradley is making his Masters debut this week. He told media that he sees it as a benefit rather than as a disadvantage: "Last year at the PGA, it helped me that it was my first major, and I didn't really know what was going on and I was just able to play my game. I think in a weird way it sometimes helps you."

Keegan has had a modest season so far, as he has recorded three top-10 finishes and $1.5 million in earnings.

Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay is a 20-year-old who leads the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He’s a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, and made quite a buzz last year at the Travelers Championship, where he set a course-record with a 10-under par round, which also tied the lowest round for an amateur on the PGA Tour.

He may not have the experience of a professional, but he has proven to be a great golfer. Last year he played in five PGA tournaments and he made all the cuts, but the impressive part is he finished inside the top 25 in all of them.

This will be Patrick’s second major tournament. He played at last year’s U.S. Open, which will help him at the Masters, by, as he said yesterday, “especially getting comfortable and not being overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the tournament.”

Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler played his first Masters last year, and he finished tied for 38th. He returns to Augusta with a win under his belt.

The former Oklahoma State University alumnus hasn't had a great season so far and only records one top-10 finish, which came at The Honda Classic. But despite his performances, Rickie will strive to turn around his season, and this is the perfect scenario to do so.

Fowler was named 2010 Rookie of the Year, amid a wave of speculation and controversy as several players thought it was Rory McIlroy who deserved the honor.

Ryo Ishikawa

This will be Ryo Ishikawa's fourth visit to Augusta National. In his first two attempts he missed the cut, then in 2011 he finished tied for 20th.

It was not only his best performance at the Masters, but also it was also his best appearance in any major championship.

The Japanese superstar records a runner-up finish at this year’s Puerto Rico Open and a tie for 17th at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Ryo is ranked 52nd at the Official World Golf Rankings, and a good result this week might take him into the top 50.

Hideki Matsuyama

Hideki Matsuyama is a Japanese golfer who’s playing his second Masters. Last year he became the first Asian player to win the Silver Cup for low amateur after finishing tied for 27th.

He is also the best-ranked Asian at the World Amateur Golf Ranking, where he sits fourth.

Hideki won the 2011 Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters, an official event of the Japan Golf Tour. Matsuyama sank an eagle in the last hole to claim a two-stroke advantage and hoist the trophy.

The Japanese, who has yet to complete two years in college, hopes “to do really well this year so that I can come back next year.”

Rory McIlroy

Who can forget last year's choke? Rory McIlroy led the Masters by four shots and finished tied for 15, 10 strokes from the winner, Charl Schwartzel.

Rory has left those demons behind: "I got that all out of the way, and, you know, just looking forward to this week and looking forward to trying to put myself in contention to try and win this thing," he said at the press conference. 

If there's a youngster that's going to be in the spotlight, that’s Rory. Media and fans expect him to overcome the meltdown.

This year, McIlroy has not finished worse than fifth, both on the PGA Tour and the European Tour, and has already won The Honda Classic.