Masters Predictions 2012: Dark-Horse Candidates to Topple Tiger, Rory and Phil

Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have their work cut out for them at the 2012 Masters. Several golfers are poised to make the big leap and steal the green jacket from the game’s behemoths.

Last year McIlroy made "the leap," starting with his historic opening round at Augusta one year ago. Woods and Mickelson, with multiple green jackets in their trophy rooms, were once young gunners looking for their first Masters title. Now they’ll be fending off these select few left and right for another crack at a major. 

Here are the dark horses who could spoil the three favorites and run wild at the Masters.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose has always been circled as a potential stud on the PGA Tour, but Rose is finally living up to the bill in 2012.

Rose has been on a tear since the end of last season, posting six top-10 finishes in his past 16 tournaments, including two victories at the Cadillac and BMW Championships. In addition, he’s no stranger to being in the hunt at Augusta National, most recently finishing T-11 in last year’s tournament.

His up-and-downs are well suited for Masters play, as hitting the ball high and long will enable him to convert up-and-downs.

A strong showing in this years’ Masters would be the icing on the cake to Justin Rose’s 2012.

Bubba Watson

If length is king at Augusta, then Bubba Watson is the prince.

The 16th-ranked golfer in the world can hit the long ball with the best of them, but that also could be his undoing. Watson has all the shots in his arsenal to survive the back nine, as he is able to go left and right, high and low. He has a great touch around the greens that separates him from other heavy hitters in the field.

Watson will need to have his control down this weekend to have a real shot at contending, but not many hit it like Bubba.

Keegan Bradley

Last year’s PGA Championship winner is one of the sexier picks in the field this year.

His long, high-ball efficiency combined with a short game that’s well put together should fare well at Augusta. He has already shown thick blood at the PGA, demonstrating the level-headedness to win a major championship. For a young golfer, that has to help his confidence headed into Augusta National.

Kyle Stanley

If you’re a golf fanatic, then you certainly know Kyle Stanley. He has all the makings of a superstar talent and has got the golf world raving about his potential.

After a historic collapse at Torrey Pines at the beginning of the season, it would have been easy to write Stanley off. He responded with his best golfing weekend on the national stage, taking home the trophy at the Phoenix Open. Knowing that he can rebound from that adversity, playing in a pairing with Tiger or Rory won't make him back off.

Known for his superior work ethic and possessing the length and short game to compete deep in tournaments, Stanley is a sleeper pick to surprise golf’s best.

Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler has yet to win a PGA tournament. That makes him due to make a big splash, right?

Fowler has the chops to move his ball left and right, a skill of paramount importance at the Masters. The young stud, who can be seen with Puma gear from head to toe, has had a nice run since finishing T-5 in last year’s Open Championship. He should capitalize on that progress at Augusta National, where he finished in 38th a year ago.

This could be the tournament in which a young gun rises to the cream of the crop.

For Rickie Fowler, he would just be displaying his glowing potential.