Masters 2012: Power Ranking Bubba Watson and the Best Performances at Augusta

When all was said and done at the 2012 Masters Tournament, it wasn't about Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson.

OK, it was almost about Phil Mickelson.

But when the sun set on Augusta National Golf Club last night, ending a Masters tournament that will go down as the most anticipated in recent memory, it was one of the PGA Tour's most popular players, Bubba Watson—with his gargantuan tee shots and swashbuckling style—wearing the green jacket.

It wasn't as though Watson wasn't being considered to win the 76th playing of the Masters, though. He was the No. 16 player in the world (he's now No. 4). And he had performed well in a major championship before—at the PGA a couple years ago when he finished in second place after losing a playoff battle with eventual champion Martin Kaymer.

But Watson, Masters champion?

I didn't think he had the patience for success at Augusta. Or the short-game nerves.

But there he was making all the shots when he needed them most—and wearing the same all-white outfit every day—and bombing tee shots with that pink driver—en route to defeating South African Louis Oosthuizen on the second hole in a sudden-death playoff for the win.

Watson tops my power rankings for the 2012 Masters Tournament.

1. Bubba Watson - It's elementary. Watson shoots a four-under par 68—complete with four straight birdies on the back nine—then pulls off one of the greatest shots in Masters history with a brilliant effort from the woods on No. 10 for the eventual win. A hard-earned and well-deserved victory. Bubba Watson is the 2012 Masters Tournament champion.

2. Louis Oosthuizen - The playoff runner-up had an amazing Sunday at Augusta shooting a three-under par 69, but he came up one shot short. One stroke that will never be forgotten, however—his second on the par-five second hole. The incredible albatross, just the fourth ever in Masters history, gave him a lead he would not relinquish until the playoff.

3. Lee Westwood - The first-round leader made a valiant comeback effort with four birdies on the back nine Sunday, including one at No. 18. But this is the reputation he has earned in the majors—his best wasn't quite good enough. Westwood finished with a T3 and claimed his 13th top-10 finish in a major championship.

4. Phil Mickelson - On Sunday, Lefty carded his second triple-bogey of the tournament, this time at No. 4, and it kept him from winning his fourth green jacket. He also couldn't get the putts to fall as they had a day earlier. Still, it was his 11th top-10 finish at Augusta.

5. Matt Kuchar - When Kuchar double-bogeyed the ninth hole to fall back to five-under par, I thought his hopes of a Masters title were over. But he rebounded with birdies at Nos. 12 and 13, then he eagled the par-five 15th with an incredible approach shot to just a few feet. His success here this week will serve him well in the future.

6. Peter Hanson - The leader heading into the final round, Hanson stumbled out of the gate, but managed to pull himself together with birdies at Nos. 15 and 18. It was too little, too late, though.

7. Bo Van Pelt - One of my dark-horse candidates to challenge for the green jacket this year, Van Pelt went crazy on the back nine Sunday, shooting a 30 that was highlighted by his ace at No. 16. His final-round 64 was the best of the entire tournament. The guy has proven he can play Augusta. He just needs to show up for four rounds.

8. Ian Poulter - Poulter quietly got his name in the mix, challenging the leaders with birdies at Nos. 3, 6, 9 and 15. It was a bogey-free round until No. 18, where he experienced a disappointing end to an otherwise great Sunday afternoon.

9. Adam Scott - Like Van Pelt, if Scott could show up for four rounds, he'd be dangerous at Augusta. He also aced No. 16, then chipped in for a birdie on No. 17 to assure himself a place in the field here next year.

10. Justin Rose - One of my favorites when the week began, Rose disappointed with three even-par rounds Thursday through Saturday. His final round 68 was more of what I expect from this very talented player in the future.

11. Patrick Cantlay - I'm going to throw Cantlay in here. The low-amateur was seven-over par in his first Masters appearance, but I like his resolve after carding a nine on No. 15 and a six at No. 14. He rebounded with an eagle at No. 15 and birdies at Nos. 16 and 17 to save his tournament.