2012 Masters Predictions: 7 Shocking Stories We Will See at Augusta

Any casual observer can pick Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Rory McIlroy to win this year’s Masters.

Likewise, everyone knows the usual Masters traditions that are sure to take place: the Par 3 tournament, the ceremonial tee shots and the Green Jacket presentation.

But what's really going to happen at this year’s championship?

Here are the surprising twists, mini-controversies and breakout performances we will see at the 2012 Masters.

Tiger Woods Won't Win

The man in red won the Arnold Palmer Invitational just a few weeks ago, but this will be a challenge Tiger still isn't mentally ready for. I predict a top-10 finish for Tiger—the golf course seems to bring out his best game—but with an improving crop of young competitors and heightened scrutiny on his physical condition, Tiger will have to wait to pick up his next Green Jacket.

Phil Won't Be a Factor

With rain already softening up the course (and more being forecasted), Phil Mickelson's creativity and knowledge of the course will be less of an advantage. He told Golf.com that as the greens become more receptive to aggressive shots, “the experience of playing here in the past is not as important.”

Look for Phil to get fans' hopes up with one low round but fade over the weekend.

A Rules Issue Will Help Decide the Championship

Dustin Johnson unforgettably gave away the 2010 PGA Championship by grounding his club in a bunker. Robert de Vincenzo lost the 1967 Masters not by missing a key shot, but by signing for the wrong score. And Arnold Palmer took a fortunate drop from a bad lie to grab the 1958 Masters from Ken Venturi.

With the amount of pressure on this week's competitors—and with eagle-eyed fans watching every last shot on TV, online and in person—look for another tricky rules issue or technicality to help steer the course of this Masters.

Patrick Cantlay Will Become the Next Big Thing

Of all the amateurs at Augusta this week, UCLA sophomore Patrick Cantlay is the one destined to be a star. Not only is he #1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, he also tied for 21st at the 2011 U.S. Open and shot a course-record 60 at last year's Travelers Championship.

Cantlay will get the golf world talking with a strong performance.

The 54-Hole Leader Will Fade in the Final Round

If you're the Tiger Woods of old, the 54-hole lead means almost certain victory. But for everyone else—even modern-day Tiger—leading with one round to play can be too much pressure.

This year has been especially bad for 54-hole leaders. Kyle Stanley fell apart at the Farmers Insurance Open, Spencer Levin collapsed at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Jim Furyk and Retief Goosen both walked away empty-handed at the Transitions Championship. Expect this trend to continue at the Masters, where the final round becomes a pressure cooker.

American Players Will Make a Statement

At the 2011 Masters, 7 of the top 10 finishers were international players. I predict that trend will reverse this year—Americans have won 10 of 13 PGA Tour events this season and will continue their dominance with breakout weeks by young guns like Kyle Stanley, Bill Haas and Brandt Snedeker.

Keegan Bradley Will Take Home the Green Jacket

Poised for another great major after his victorious 2011 PGA Championship, the 25-year-old Bradley will grab his second straight grand slam title this week.

He's a proven winner, a talented putter and a bomber on a long-hitter's course. Plus, he's on a hot streak in 2012—Bradley’s had nine straight top-25s and three top-ten finishes including a T4 at last week's Shell Houston Open.