Masters 2012: PGA Unknowns Ready to Make Huge Weekend Push

One of the best parts about the first couple rounds in majors is that there are often little-known players in contention. Of course the top-flight guys are near the top of the leaderboard as well, but it is always interesting to see whether golfers who weren't expected to be contenders can hold up over the long haul.

There are several players who will have the opportunity to do just that in the third round and beyond as they are either among the leaders or just a couple shots back. Some of those golfers are inevitably going to fade into oblivion, but there are others that will remain in the hunt until the bitter end.

Here are three unknowns who will make their presence known over the weekend.

Jason Dufner

Jason Dufner has flirted with greatness at majors before, but he seems ready to make a true run this time around. Dufner is tied for the lead at five-under par after a solid second round and will be in the final group over the last two rounds.

Dufner isn't the type of player who is going to wow you, but he is a battler who is capable for hanging around for a long period of time.

Most probably favor the likes of Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood over Dufner, but he is a tough customer who seems unlikely to be bothered by the big moments. That may seem like an odd thing to say since he blew a big lead and lost in a playoff to Keegan Bradley at last year's PGA Championship, but Dufner had to have learned a lot from that and should be better for it.

Ben Crane

Although he hasn't traditionally performed that well in major tournaments, Ben Crane has been a solid PGA Tour pro for quite some time. He has four career victories and may be in the best position he ever has been to make noise on the big stage.

Crane's best career Masters finish is only 25th, but he is three shots behind the leaders at two-under par and has been quite impressive thus far.

While Crane isn't at the top of the leaderboard, he is actually in an ideal position. Since he isn't leading, he doesn't have to carry the burden of that pressure, but he isn't so far back that a win is unattainable.

Also, with so many different golfers within a few shots, he can continue to fly under the radar. Crane can play worry-free this weekend, and I expect that to help him make a move.

Francesco Molinari

He may be one of the better European players on tour, but you rarely hear much about Italian Francesco Molinari. He has a ton of skill and is often in contention, but has yet to score a break-through victory.

Donning the green jacket would obviously do wonders for his career, and he has legitimate shot as he is just three strokes behind the leaders at two-under par.

Molinari is one of the better pure ball strikers on tour, and because of that he should be able to hang around until the bitter end. He may need some of the leaders to come back to him a bit, but it doesn't seem like Molinari is going to choke down the stretch.

There won't be any eyes on him, but that will ultimately be good for his upset chances.