British Open Predictions 2012: Day-by-Day Final Scores for Top Stars

With the 2012 British Open taking the sporting world by storm, it’s time to get in on the ground floor and give full predictions for one of the most illustrious tournaments in the world.

When a Major championship is on the line—especially one that is the magnitude of the Open Championship—there is no denying just how exciting things can get.

In order to help quell the need for more British Open action, we will predict the final scores of the top stars at the end of each day.

At the conclusion, we will give you all the final scores and who will walk away with the coveted Claret Jug and a British Open Championship.

Check back for more on golf as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s Golf page to get your fill of all things PGA Tour.

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When and Where to Watch the Open Action

Where: Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England

When: Thursday, July 19 - Sunday, July 22

Watch: ESPN and ABC

Full TV Schedule

Thursday, July 19: 4:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Friday, July 20: 4:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Saturday, July 21: 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, July 22: 6 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) and 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. ET (ABC)

Day 1

Player Breakdown

Rickie Fowler—Projected Final Score:  +7

While Rickie Fowler will play well enough to get into the show and avoid missing the cut, he will have a weekend meltdown. It happens every time the PGA hits the Open Championship, and my eye is on Fowler.

The confidence he brings in after his solid performance in 2011 will be his undoing, as he underestimates the course and overestimates his ability. At the Open Championship, it’s about what you don’t do as much as it is about what you do.

Fowler will learn that the hard way.

Tiger Woods

Round — 70

Overall — 70

Par —E

Rory McIlroy

Round — 68

Overall — 68

Par — -2

Phil Mickelson

Round — 70

Overall — 70

Par — E

Bubba Watson

Round — 74

Overall — 74

Par — +4

Rickie Fowler

Round — 72

Overall — 72

Par — +2

Day 2

Player Breakdown

Bubba Watson—Projected Final Score: +1

With a huge win at the 2012 Masters, Bubba Watson is preparing to try his hand at two Major wins in the same season. If there were anyone with the natural gift or skill besides Tiger Woods that could pull it off, it’s Watson.

With the strength and patience to master the British Open, Watson’s keys to playing well will all be mental. If he stays out of trouble and keeps his confidence, his projected +1 could easily jump a few strokes and put him in contention.

Tiger Woods

Round — 71

Overall — 141

Par — +1

Rory McIlroy

Round — 68

Overall — 136

Par — -4

Phil Mickelson

Round — 69

Overall — 139

Par— -1

Bubba Watson

Round — 68

Overall — 142

Par— +2

Rickie Fowler

Round—69

Overall— 141

Par — +1

Day 3

Player Breakdown

Rory McIlroy—Projected Final Score: Even

While the US Open win last season was supposed to be the young star's crowning moment, Rory McIlroy has played poorly on the biggest stages since that event. As tough as his 2012 has been at times, he is still winning tournaments.

As good as many of the foreign-born players are on US soil, they have the distinct advantage when the tour heads overseas. McIlroy would love to be the second Irish player in two years to win the Claret Jug, but he will need to play the best golf of his career.

Tiger Woods

Round—70

Overall— 211

Par— +1

Rory McIlroy

Round — 74

Overall — 210

Par — E

Phil Mickelson

Round — 69

Overall — 208

Pa r— -2

Bubba Watson

Round — 69

Overall — 211

Par— +1

Rickie Fowler

Round — 72

Overall — 213

Par — +3

Day 4

Player Breakdown

Tiger Woods—Projected Final Score: -2

As great as Tiger Woods will play during the British Open, it will not be enough to hold off Mickelson on his run to a Major championship. While his loss will sting, his strong performance will be a great sign of things moving forward.

Woods’ 2012 has been great in terms of where he was coming into this season, but this could be the precursor to a breakout 2013. If Tiger plays the Open Championship with that swagger that made him the best in the world, win or lose, he is back.

Tiger Woods

Round—67

Overall — 278

Par — -2

Rory McIlroy

Round — 70

Overall — 280

Par — E

Phil Mickelson

Round — 68

Overall — 276

Par — -4

Bubba Watson

Round — 70

Overall — 281

Par — +1

Rickie Fowler

Round — 74

Overall — 287

Par — +7

Final Standings and Predictions

Player Breakdown

Phil Mickelson—Projected Final Score: -4

Lefty has proved time and time again that he can’t be counted out of any tournament, and the 2012 British Open is no exception.

Phil Mickelson will win this weekend.

With the heat of a second-place finish last year in this event still burning for the tour veteran, Mickelson will finally get the monkey off his back and win the Open Championship by staving off the vast array of talented young stars trying to stifle him.

Sunday’s action should be amazing, though, and this win won’t come easy.

Final Predicted Standings

Phil Mickelson -4

Tiger Woods -2

Rory McIlroy E

Bubba Watson +1

Rickie Fowler +7