Tiger Woods: Golf Icon Is Still Favorite for US Open

Despite a lackluster and hapless Masters performance, Tiger Woods will be the safest bet to win the next major: June's U.S. Open.

Woods' finish at plus-five for the 2012 Masters was nothing short of unexpected, especially after winning the previous weekend. 

Tiger was clearly off his game this weekend in Augusta. He missed his driver shots constantly and couldn't make a par-five birdie to save his life—something he typically does to a tee there.

But if there's one thing Tiger knows how to do, it's rebound. 

Many seem to forget that this isn't the first three-year major championship drought of his career, it's just the first one that involved an emotionally draining divorce scandal. His 2002 U.S. Open win resulted in nearly three full years of no majors.

What did he win to break the drought? The 2005 Masters—his fourth green jacket.

Woods' last major was the 2008 U.S. Open, so maybe he can muster up some more magic in the major he's dominated in years past.

He finished in second in 2007 before his 2008 win, and has finished in the top-six twice since 2009. He knows how to play the U.S. Open better than anyone in the field.

As Woods stated after his final round, his short game was on point. He made many big putts in the Masters this year, it just turned out that many of them were for pars due to his off driver and iron game.

Tiger has made major changes in his swing and his teaching since his last major, and it takes time to make those adjustments. Fortunately for him, age shouldn't be much of an issue for a player who still is one of the most in-shape athletes in sports. 

Woods is close to getting back to his game, and he has shown such great play since his scandal that it's impossible to think that is still weighing on him. Nothing matters on the course anymore except him and his golf ball.

Golf is as deep as it's ever been, so it's hard to say Woods would be the clear-cut favorite in the year's next major.

But, no one has had more success in the field than Woods, and he'll be back to claim another major very soon.