Masters 2012: 5 Players Who Will Learn from Augusta and Win on the PGA Tour

Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen treated us to a wonderful show on Sunday evening as the pair battled to claim the green jacket in a sudden-death playoff.

However, there were others who performed admirably throughout the four rounds to suggest that a big year awaits them.

Here, I divulge which players you must keep an eye on throughout the year, all of whom can take solace from aspects of their performance in the year's first major in order to claim a victory on the PGA tour.

Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter performed superbly at Augusta on Sunday, suggesting that he has completely recovered from his illness and that a great year of golf awaits the world No. 25.

Poulter put together three birdies on the front nine to storm into contention, sitting just two shots off the lead at one point, but eventually left his charge for victory too late.

His last win came almost a year ago in May, when he defeated Luke Donald in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship, and it seems that Poulter is close to finding that next victory.

Adam Scott

Adam Scott never seemed to be in contention to improve on his 2011 position, tied for second. An opening round of 75 was always likely to hinder Scott from being able to find himself in the mix throughout the weekend.

A wonderful six-under-par final round of 66 gave us a glimpse of the Australian's potential, proving that he has the game to be able to succeed in the major championships, particularly at Augusta.

His newly hired caddy, Steve Williams, has forged a close relationship with the world No. 11, suggesting he can help Scott to another big victory in 2012.

Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington proved that he is a capable of winning a major championship once again this weekend. The Irishman surged up the leader board to sit just two shots behind the leaders at one stage.

Harrington, who has already claimed three major championships, proved that he is capable of adding to his tally at this stage of his career.

Harrington, after all, is just one major victory from tying Phil Mickelson with four major championship victories, which would give the Irishman the second-most major victories among active players.

Jason Dufner

Jason Dufner will surely claim his first PGA tour victory this year. The American quietly goes about his business and appears to have developed his game to such an extent that he can contend on the PGA tour for the foreseeable future.

The American has enjoyed a decent run of form throughout 2012, triggered by his playoff loss to Keegan Bradley at the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

Dufner, the world No. 32, has made two top-10 finishes this season and is playing consistent golf that will put himself in a position to clinch a maiden victory on the PGA tour. Dufner's game focuses on hitting fairways, a crucial skill in order to win tournaments.

Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood can consider himself to have been quite unfortunate to not have won The Masters this year.

The world No. 3 was able to crush his irons all week, hitting 81 percent of greens in regulation, but was let down by his putting, once again.

Westwood took 128 putts in total at Augusta, an astonishing statistic in comparison to Louis Oosthuizen, who made 110 putts. This proves that unless Westwood fixes this part of his game, a maiden major victory will continue to evade him.

Westwood's game is easily good enough to deliver a victory on the PGA tour this year. All that is required is an average week on the greens, which would likely see him destroy the field if he can replicate his current form from tee to green.

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