Masters Leaderboard 2012: Breaking Down Best Candidates to Win Green Jacket

There are still 10-12 legitimate candidates to win the 2012 Masters, but a few certain guys are starting to separate themselves from the crowd.

And when I say "separate," I, of course, mean two- or three-stroke lead, which is a heck of a lot bigger lead than any of the contenders had yesterday.

Below is a look at the most likely bets to take home the green jacket. 

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson, who has won three Masters tournaments in his brilliant career, easily has the most experience of any of the leaders.

Even if he wasn't dominating, I would feel comfortable including him here.

But he is dominating, which puts Lefty on another level.

After a very rough start to his tournament in which he shot a two-over 74, Mickelson has been unconscious. He hit four birdies on the back nine to end his four-under Friday, and then shot a ridiculous 30 on the back nine on Saturday.

Add it all up and Mickelson is currently tied for first at eight under. He's clearly the favorite.

Peter Hanson

Right now, the only golfer seriously standing in Phil's way is 25th-ranked Peter Hanson. 

Hanson wasn't to be out-done by Lefty on Saturday, however, as he put up a brilliant 65 to finish the day at nine under alone in first place.

It was the best round of the tournament.

With the exception of the back nine on Friday, Hanson has easily been the best golfer this weekend. He shot three over on that back nine, meaning the rest of his tournament has been 12-freaking-under.

I like Hanson to pull the upset over Phil tomorrow. 

Louis Oosthuizen

As of right now, it's pretty much Mickelson, Hanson and everybody else, but Oosthuizen is sticking around and has a good chance of making a run on Sunday.

Much like Hanson, Oosthuizen has been terrific except for one ugly stretch on Friday. During the front nine, he went double-bogey, birdie, bogey and then bogey on a four-hole stretch.

Other than that little mixup, he's been tremendous all tournament. Don't forget about the  South African native.

If that's not good enough to convince you, his nickname is Shrek and he has a gap in his smile that rivals Michael Strahan. Now try not to like him.