Masters Field 2013: Previewing Top Stars and Dark Horses at Augusta

As we look ahead to the 2013 Masters on April 11, there's once again a good mix of star power and dark horses to contend for the green jacket.

Tiger Woods has been on fire in 2013 after a bounce-back year in 2012 and Rory McIlroy played very well at the Valero Texas Open this past weekend.

But don't forget about the 2011 PGA Championship winner, or a couple of guys looking for their first majors while growing as golfers.

Here's my short list of top stars and dark horses heading into the 2013 Masters at Augusta.

Top Stars

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is the favorite headed into Augusta this year, and for good reason. As I wrote on Saturday, he already has three victories in four stroke-play PGA Tour events this year. He ranks first on tour in scoring average, first in putting (strokes gained), first in holes per eagle, third in birdie average and 26th in driving distance, via PGATour.com. 

The four-time Masters champion hasn't won at Augusta since 2005, but he has six top-10 finishes since then. Even during his nightmare campaigns in 2010 and 2011, he tied for fourth at the event.

Phil Mickelson

You throw everything out the window when Phil Mickelson heads into the Masters. It doesn't seem to matter how he's doing each and every year before the Masters—he's simply a threat every time he steps foot on Augusta's links.

Mickelson has notched an astounding 14 top-10 finishes at the Masters in his career, including three victories. Last year, he tied for third at the event. He last won the Masters in 2010.

Mickelson has also placed in the top 20 in two of his last three PGA Tour events, including a third-place finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy had a strong close to the 2013 Valero Texas Open, posting a six-under 66 to finish in second place with a 12-under 276. If it wasn't for Martin Laird's ridiculous day, he would have won the tournament.

The world No. 2 has won two majors in the last two years (U.S. Open, PGA Championship), but he hasn't better than 15th in three career trips to Augusta. That includes a 40th-place finish at the Masters last year.

But McIlroy's second-place finish at TPC San Antonio on Sunday was an encouraging sign after posting one top-10 finish in his first four PGA Tour events of 2013. Perhaps the 23-year-old is getting into a groove.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose has posted two top-10 finishes in his career at the Masters. That includes an eighth-place finish at the tournament last year.

In fact, Rose also placed third at the PGA Championship last year. There are some believe this may be the year he puts it all together at the Masters.

The 32-year-old has notched three top-10 finishes in his only three stroke-play PGA Tour events this year. That includes a fourth-place finish at the Honda Classic and a second-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Bubba Watson

You have to include the 2012 Masters champion among the top contenders.

Even though Bubba Watson has yet to record a victory in six PGA Tour events this year, he hasn't finished worse than 18th in any tournament. The No. 14 player in the world is coming off a respectable 14th-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and he played phenomenal golf at Augusta last year. 

In fact, Watson's victory at Augusta was his only win of the year. Perhaps he finds some Southern comfort in Georgia again.

Dark Horses

Adam Scott

It feels like it's only a matter of time before Adam Scott wins his first career major. He has eight career top-10 finishes at majors.

More specifically, the 32-year-old has three top-10 finishes at the Masters, including an eighth-place finish last year and a second-place finish in 2011.

Scott has four top-10 finishes in four PGA Tour events this season, including a third-place finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. When he's on, Scott can compete with anybody.

Matt Kuchar

Matt Kuchar posted the best finish of his career at the Masters last year, placing third. He also has three top-10 finishes in eight PGA Tour events this year.

The 34-year-old is coming off a 22nd-place finish at the Valero Texas Open, but he did place 14th at the Tampa Bay Championship.

Kuchar is a bit of a long shot in my mind, but he was in contention at Augusta last year. He also posted nine top-10 finishes in 2012, including a victory at the Players Championship. 

Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley is only going to get better. He's only 26 years old and he's already notched a combined nine top-10 finishes and two victories in his first two years on the PGA Tour. That includes winning the PGA Championship in his first year on tour in 2011.

Oh yeah, and he already has five top-10 finishes this year, tied for the lead on tour. That includes four top-10 finishes in his last four PGA Tour events. He's coming off a 10th-place finish at the Houston Open.

Bradley finished 27th in his first career appearance at Augusta last year, but, then again, that was just his first career appearance at Augusta. I expect him to be in contention this year at the Masters.