Masters 2012 Leaderboard: Phil Mickelson Is Only Favorite Proving Worthy of Hype

The talk coming into the Masters was all about Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy. Heading into the final day at Augusta, the only one of those favorites in shouting distance is Lefty.

With a blistering 66 on Saturday that followed a hot 68 on Friday, Phil is only one shot behind Peter Hanson. Hanson shot an unbelievable 65 on Saturday to claim the one-shot lead.

As for the other favorites, Woods finished with his second even par day of the event. Perhaps that wouldn't be as discouraging had he not sandwiched those two even days with a three-over 75 on Friday.

Now, Woods is +3 for the tournament and 12 shots back.

He'll need a miracle, prayer and several collapses ahead of him to even be within shouting distance of the leaders tomorrow.

What seemed so promising heading into the tournament has been an event mired with inconsistency for Tiger.

As for McIlroy, the young star was eager to exorcise the demons from the 2011 collapse at Augusta. After shooting a 71 and 69 on the first two days, McIlroy fell flat on his face on Saturday with a five-over 77.

The front nine was a disaster. It featured two double bogeys and two bogeys. When it was all over, he sat at +1 for the tournament. He is nearly in the same predicament as Tiger.

The 41-year-old Mickelson has shaken off a poor first day and has hit his stride at the right time. If he pulls off the win, it will be his fourth Green Jacket and 11th major championship of his underrated career.

Though he was one of the favorites at 10-1 odds coming in, he received the least amount of fanfare of the three.

Now, we must see how Phil performs on Sunday with all eyes on him. He has the experience advantage on Hanson. For that reason, this is his tournament to lose.