Masters Leaderboard 2012: Americans Sure to Shine in Final Round at Augusta
As Easter Sunday's finale at Augusta National gets underway, there are a number of intriguing storylines ready to unfold and a handful of players at the top of the leaderboard who have a great shot at taking home the coveted green jacket.
There is no clear-cut favorite out there at the moment, and until Sunday evening no one will know for sure who is best suited to unseat 2011 champion Charl Schwartzel.
But considering the strong play of many of the Americans at The Masters this April, it wouldn't be ridiculous to suggest that the USA brings home the legendary tournament crown this year.
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That being said, let's take a look at some of the American golfers who are sure to shine in the final round of the 2012 Masters.
After a tough opening day on Thursday, Phil Mickelson has bounced back with two exceptional rounds of golf, including a six-under 66 on Saturday to pull within one stroke of leader Peter Hanson.
Mickelson has been incredibly consistent throughout the course, aside from a lone triple-bogey on 10 back on Thursday.
Even more surprising, "Lefty" was par through the first nine holes in the third round, before turning it up with four birdies and an eagle on the back nine.
Mickelson has won at Augusta three times already, including a win there just two years ago.
Hunter Mahan
Hunter Mahan made his move on Saturday after finishing an even par through the first two rounds of action at Augusta.
Mahan hit a four-under 68 on Saturday, and put himself within reasonable striking distance of the leaders. Mahan's 68 was tied for the third best on the day.
He'll head into his final 18 holes tied for sixth place, five shots out of the lead. He only bogeyed once on Saturday, and that will be the key to contending on Sunday.
Mahan must continue to recover nicely with par shots, rather than going for broke.
With all the attention on the leaders Sunday, Tiger Woods is sure to play his best round at Augusta by far, even though that isn't saying a lot in 2012.
Woods proved just two weeks ago that he can outshine golf's best when he cruised to a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but has been lackluster the past three days in Georgia.
Although he has been right around par for the entire tournament, Woods has a knack for making things interesting on Sundays.
He's 12 shots out of the lead, so it would take an incredible collapse at the top of the leaderboard for him to have a chance at the green jacket, but he will make a run to improve his place in the standings nonetheless.
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