Masters 2012 Tee Times: Pairings and Predictions for Thursday

For all of the legendary finishes and memories created on Sunday at the Masters, what is often forgotten is that most of those golfers wouldn't be in position for an epic finish if they hadn't played well enough over the course of the first three days.

Laying the groundwork to winning the Green Jacket begins on Thursday. What I'm trying to say, you guys, is that you should be paying attention over the course of the whole tournament.

Want to know when everyone will get started and which golfers have been grouped together?

Go here.

If you're only interested in when the big names play, I'll list them below my predictions for Thursday.

Bubba Watson Will Open Strong

Nobody can question the young golfer's ability or potential. However, his ability to handle pressure and finish on top, well, that can be questioned.

I don't know if Watson will be a factor over the weekend, but I expect him to start strong.

Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy Will Be Near the Top of the Pack as Expected

I expect these three to duke it out on the final day. They may not blow anyone away early, but they'll be right around the top of the leaderboard after Thursday.

Steve Williams Will Be Shown in Highlights with Tiger Woods

I expect much of this tournament's coverage will revolve around Tiger Woods, as it should—he makes for good theater.

Yes, that even includes his old caddie, one that said so many dumb things related to Woods since the two split ways.

If Adam Scott plays well, expect the conversation to revolve around how much Williams has to do with his play, fair or not.

Jason Day Will Have a Rough Thursday

Don't expect him to finish tied for second at the Masters this year. He hasn't played particularly well in 2012, and I don't think he'll have the magic he possessed at last year's event.

It's a shame, really—I've missed Ellie Harvey like whoa.

Here are a few notable tee times:

Golfers	Tee Times
Adam Scott, Bo Van Pelt, Martin Kaymer	7:45 a.m. EDT
Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Stewart Cink	7:56 a.m. EDT
Kyle Stanley, Jason Day, Bill Haas	8:18 a.m. EDT
Trevor Immelman, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose	8:29 a.m. EDT
Charl Schwartzel, Keegan Bradley, a-Kelly Kraft	9:24 a.m. EDT
Tiger Woods, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Sang-moon Bae	9:35 a.m. EDT
Luke Donald, Francesco Molinari, Nick Watney	9:46 a.m. EDT
Zach Johnson, Ian Poulter, a-Patrick Cantlay	10:52 a.m. EDT
Mike Weir, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson	11:47 a.m. EDT
Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, Jim Furyk	11:58 a.m. EDT
Angel Cabrera, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson	12:42 p.m. EDT
Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Peter Hanson	12:53 p.m. EDT

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