Masters 2012 Leaderboard: Major Shaping Up to Be Best in Recent Memory

Coming into the 2012 Masters Tournament, most people thought there was Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and everybody else.

Well, "everybody else" is making this major one of the best we've seen in a long time. After two days (er, a day and a half as I sit here writing this), the story-lines are endless.

It's been 20 years, might as well do it again

Well, look at who is currently on top of the leaderboard. After shooting a dazzling five-under 67, 52-year-old Fred Couples currently sits in a tie for first with fellow American Jason Dufner at -5.

Couples has enjoyed a very nice career, but he has only won one major during his lifetime. Can you guess what it was?

Yup, it was the Masters in 1992. Exactly 20 years ago. 

There perhaps would be no better story than if Couples were able to hold on and win this weekend. 

World No. 1 struggles to make the cut

As it currently stands, Luke Donald, the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world, sits at plus-5 after nine holes. The projected cut is plus-5. 

I'll be honest, I've watched Donald play one hole this whole tournament, and it probably wasn't a good one to watch. I watched him completely fall apart at hole No. 8 as he struggled to make a double bogey.

Ugly is probably the nicest way to describe it.

Donald is certainly talented and deserves his ranking, but failing to make the cut would be a cataclysmic let down. 

An epic fail, for all you internet-savvy people out there.  

The big names are all lurking

Oh, by the way, the arguably hottest golfer of the last few months, Rory McIlroy, is tied for third after his three-under 69 put him at four-under for the tournament.

He's been a little inconsistent, but I would certainly kill to be inconsistent if it meant being tied for fourth and one shot behind the leader at a major. 

Then, there's Phil Mickelson. After shooting a dreadful 74 yesterday, Lefty shot a four-under 68 today. He jumped 44 spots to 11th place, the second highest jump of anyone. 

Oh yeah, and there's this guy named Tiger Woods. 

Tiger has missed some very make-able putts today and as a result is one-over for the tournament, but that's still just six strokes behind the leader. With the way he's been playing in recent weeks, he's capable of making that up.

Could you imagine McIlroy, Mickelson, Woods and Couples all battling it out for the title on Sunday? Big names such as Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson are all only a shot back, too. 

I realize it will be Easter Sunday and you might be with your family, but I suggest sneaking yourself in front of your TV.

You won't want to miss it.