Masters Favorites 2012: Predicting Where Biggest Names Will Place in Round One

The true "tradition unlike any other" is starting off Masters weekend with another viewing of the Adam Sandler classic, Happy Gilmore.

But seriously, things at Augusta are just getting started, and soon enough the Tiger, Rory and Phil watch will be in full swing.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have seven green jackets between the two of them. Rory McIlroy has one epic meltdown for the ages.

They're not the only big names to watch this weekend, but they are the biggest. Where will they place after Round 1? Let's take a look.

Tiger Woods

The odds-on favorite to win it all, according to Bovada, it is unlikely that Tiger will roar out of the gate with the lead.

He rounded out last year's first round with a minus-one and ultimately finished at minus-10.

Woods will get a feel for the course as well as anyone and will make his move this weekend rather than worrying about running away from the field early. 

Phil Mickelson

Lefty wasn't great last year, finishing tied for 27th, but he has won here three times and—much like Tiger—will wait to make a move.

Phil has already won once this year and has himself together right now.

He's one of the last to tee off on Day 1, so the course will be rather played through by the time he hits, so don't expect too much from him after Round 1.

Rory McIlroy

Unlike Tiger and Phil, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Rory roar out to an early lead.

He was an astounding minus-seven after the first day a year ago before pushing his lead to minus-10 going into the weekend.

The young Northern Irishman has played in only three tour events so far this year, but he has finished in the top three in each of them, including a win at the Honda Classic.

He's clearly on top of his game and could come out like gangbusters once again.

Charl Schwartzel

The defending champion quietly put together a great tournament of golf last year before erupting for four straight birdies to win the green jacket. 

He has struggled a bit of late, missing the cut in his last two events, but coming back to Augusta may help.

The pressure will be on, though, and it will be interesting to see how he handles being at the forefront of coverage this time around rather than just an afterthought.

Expect Schwartzel to fall off the pace a bit today.

Adam Scott

The South African got off to an average start last year and put on the burners Saturday and Sunday to make a charge for second place. He had a shot at the tournament but simply wasn't good enough down the stretch when Schwartzel caught fire.

Scott won a PGA event last year in dominating fashion but hasn't been great so far this year in Tour events.

Look for him to lay back a bit and get his feet wet before potentially making a move. He won't push things out of the gate.