Masters Predictions 2012: Final Predictions for Field's Notable Names

The 2012 Masters will display one of the deepest fields ever, but ultimately Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods will seize the green jacket in Sunday’s final round. Not to spoil the fun, but one of the three favorites at Augusta will be the Masters’ champion.

Some golfers may be slotted higher in the World Golf Rankings. Some may be playing out of their minds heading into Augusta. Others are former green jacket winners looking to reclaim it. All of them, however, are looking up at the ‘Holy Triumvirate’—Woods, McIlroy and Mickelson—hoping they miss the cut.

Those three could care less who’s left heading into Sunday with three holes to play. Only they can reach a masterful level of golf that the others can only hope to evade. This could be the weekend we see it.

Which one will be victorious? Read on to see my predictions for the Masters’ most notable names.

Tiger Woods

The chatter has been unavoidable. The stars could be aligning for Woods to win his first green jacket since 2005. 

Even in his recent struggles the past few years, Tiger has held a certain comfort with Augusta all throughout. He hasn’t placed out of the top six in the last seven years there. Talk about comfort.

His victory at Bay Hill only two weeks ago was a major lift that he needed heading into the PGA’s first major weekend. The numbers also tell the story; his scoring average and greens in regulation are both as low as they’ve ever been. His power never left, his accuracy has improved and he got it all to come together just in time for Augusta.

But let's not get all caught up in Tigermania just yet. Tiger did get his first win in over two years, but Bay Hill has been his course since he hit the PGA Tour. Woods has won seven of the last 12 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The first round will be a huge indicator if Woods is in high form.

Prediction: Tiger stays in the hunt early, but a deep field keeps him out of reach. He does, however, keep his streak of top-six finishes alive:

Finishes T-6: -(5) with Hunter Mahan, Nick Watney and Angel Cabrera

Phil Mickelson

Lefty is the most recent Masters winner in this trio and the most likely boom-or-bust candidate this weekend.

The pressure of winning majors is long behind Mickelson with three green jackets in tow. Phil certainly has the final-round marbles as well. Last time he was paired with Woods in a final round was at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he shot a 64 and won the entire tournament.

He may not have the steam that Woods has heading into this weekend, or a 2011 major championship like McIlroy, but he has built a solid body of work leading up to Augusta. He finished 24th at Bay Hill and followed it up with a strong fourth-place finish at Houston.

Phil will be hungry to join Jack Nicklaus and Tiger as the only quadruple champions at Augusta. He’ll finish ahead of Tiger, but ultimately two strokes behind with a few missed up-and-downs he’ll want back.

Rory McIlroy

With memories of a historic collapse from a year earlier still looming, Rory McIlroy can redeem himself with a victory at Augusta.

He’ll conquer the demons this weekend. 

Many have been talked about Tiger’s recent successes, sweeping Rory’s consistent success under the rug. The Irishman has only managed to finish in the top 10 every tournament he’s played in. Also, let's not forget his U.S. Open victory last season, an utter domination. Of all the contenders, McIlory has the best chance to turn the leaderboard into a race for second.

Prediction: Rory could be ready to take the mantle of best in the game. One memorable weekend at Augusta will do the trick. I say he does it.

Finishes first: -11 (277)

Other Notable Names

Justin Rose: Finishes second (-9) He ends the third round as the leader, but cannot hold his position when McIlroy charges on the final day.

Hunter Mahan: Finishes T-6th (-5) A strong outing at Augusta for the one of the hottest golfers on tour, matching Tiger’s weekend will be a moral victory.

Lee Westwood: Finishes T-11th (-4) He’ll keep racking up major purses, but ‘Mr. Consistency’ loses the handle on his short game to be in serious contention.

Charl Schwartzel: Finishes T-11th (-4) Last year’s champion will prove he’ll be a contender at Augusta for years to come.

Luke Donald: Finishes 27th (E) Another tough Major outing for the World’s Top Golfer. Maybe a new ranking system is in the cards.