Players Championship 2012 Coverage: Stars Who Will Be in Contention on Sunday

As the top golfers in the world get set for the U.S. Open, the Players Championship has long been seen as the unofficial fifth major.

The 2012 Players Championship, which begins today, boasts some big names, such as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Will Tiger rise from his slide? Will McIlroy back up a strong showing at the Wells Fargo Championship? Will Mickelson catch lightning in a bottle?

Here are some stars who will be in contention come Sunday at the 2012 Players Championship.

3. Louis Oosthuizen

Tee Times: 8:29 a.m., 1:39 p.m. 

Beyond placing third at the Houston Open and finishing second at the Masters, Louis Oosthuizen is 11th in greens in regulation and third in total driving. All of this, in addition to the fact that he's become an excellent golfer, makes him a prime contender to win the 2012 Players Championship.

Discount Oosthuizen missing the cut at TPC Sawgrass last year. He's become a better golfer.   

2. Lee Westwood

Tee Times: 1:39 p.m., 8:29 a.m.

Lee Westwood may never win a major in his career, but that doesn't mean he can't win the "fifth major" in golf. He finished tied for fourth at TPC Sawgrass in 2010, placed third at the Masters and finished fifth at the Wells Fargo Championship.

He's playing consistent golf, and he has a good shot to come away with the victory. 

1. Rory McIlroy

Tee Times: 1:49 p.m., 8:39 a.m.

Rory McIlroy's finish at the Masters was undoubtedly disappointing, but he has four top-three finishes on the PGA Tour this year, including a victory at the Honda Classic, and he placed second at the Wells Fargo Championship. He's still one of the premier golfers in the world, with room to grow. I'm pegging McIlroy to win the whole thing.

Sorry, Phil and Tiger, you don't make the list.

The Players Championship kicks off at 7:15 a.m. ET on Thursday and 12:25 p.m. on Friday. 

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about golf together.