Masters Predictions 2012: Top Contenders to Claim Green Jacket at Augusta

No golf tournament garners more attention than the Masters. Players from around the globe travel to Augusta National Golf Club with hopes of claiming the coveted green jacket, which would cement their place in history.

Here are the top contenders to complete the journey on Sunday with a victory. It should be one of the most entertaining tournaments in quite some time.

Tiger Woods

Golf has a lot more intrigue when Woods makes noise in the final round. He's coming off a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has started looking like a legitimate weekly threat again after a couple years where it appeared he lost his way.

His play off the tee has vastly improved in recent weeks. While there's always a lot of talk about his putting, it's basically irrelevant when he keeps hitting shots into the deep rough off the tee. With that problem seemingly fixed, he's in great shape heading into Augusta.

As long as he stays healthy, which isn't a guarantee anymore, there's no reason to believe he won't be contending down the stretch. His ability to shape shots has returned and he attacks the hole like he did during his prime, both signs he's ready to capture his fifth green jacket.

Rory McIlroy

The talk about McIlroy throughout the week has been dominated by his meltdown in last year's final round. But he's had 12 months to recover from that disappointment and hasn't finished outside the top five in any official event this season.

If it weren't for the recent resurgence of Woods, McIlroy would be the clear favorite. Instead, he's been somewhat of an afterthought, and that's probably perfectly fine with him. Less media pressure tends to yield better results, especially for a young player like him.

There will be times when McIlroy thinks about the green jacket that slipped away last year, but he needs to use that as motivation instead of letting it get him down. His game has matured, so it would be a surprise if he wasn't in the mix on Sunday.

Hunter Mahan

There isn't a clear third choice after Woods and McIlroy. Big names like Phil Mickelson and Luke Donald are popular picks, but Mahan has the momentum. He's coming off a victory at the Shell Houston Open and has been playing well all season.

He's accurate off the tee and gives himself plenty of looks at birdie, which continues to be the best way to conquer Augusta. The biggest question surrounds the ability for him to remain strong with the putter for four rounds against such stiff competition.

The American has never finished in the top five at a major event, but if there was ever a time where he seemed likely to break through, it's this weekend. Getting off to a quick start will be key, but he should by a contender during the final round.