Masters 2012 Leaderboard: Poor Starters Who Will Soar Back into Contention

Everyone wants to get off to a sizzling start at the Masters, but the reality is Augusta has a way of becoming a golfer's worst nightmare.

Just ask Rory McIlroy last year.

But McIlroy, despite a slower start than expected in the first round, is one of a few golfers who will soar back into contention down the stretch.

Here are five golfers ready to take control at Augusta after a rough beginning.

5. Justin Rose

Justin Rose shot an even par on Thursday, but he was very consistent. He scored one bogey and one birdie, and every other hole he shot par.

Rose had his best finish at a major championship since 2008 last year at Augusta, tying for 11th place. He also posted two top-10 finishes in seven PGA Tour events this year, including a victory at the Cadillac Championship.

Rose has the look of a golfer who is beginning to get a feel for Augusta.

4. Hunter Mahan

Hunter Mahan, the winner of the Houston Open this year, also shot an even par in the first round at Augusta. He had an up-and-down first 11 holes, but shot for par the remaining six.

Mahan finished in the top 10 at the 2009 and 2010 Masters and already has two wins under his belt this year (Accenture Match Play Championship). He has a history of success at Augusta and he's been playing solid golf.

3. Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson shot the worst out of anyone in this group on Thursday, finishing with a two-over-par 74. He also simply lost his game at times.

But Mickelson is putting well, which bodes well for him at Augusta, and he had three birdies in his last six holes. He sank a long putt on his final stroke on the 18th to get back into contention.

2. Tiger Woods

I'll admit that I was disappointed with Tiger's first-round performance. After his monumental victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, I thought he was over rethinking himself.

Woods didn't look very sharp on Thursday and finished in frustrating fashion, notching two bogeys in the final two holes.

Nonetheless, I still feel he found a little magic at Bay Hill and is a more confident golfer. It's just a hunch, but I think Tiger will make a run down the stretch.

1. Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy didn't exactly have a poor round of golf on Thursday, finishing with a one-under-par 71, but he did start off poorly and is frankly supposed to be the front-runner.

McIlroy had a one-over-par through 16 holes. Then he birdied the next two holes to close in impressive fashion.

McIlroy is still the favorite to win this year's Master in my mind, and I think he inches his way up to the top by the end of it.

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