Masters 2014: What to Expect from Golf's Top Stars on Day 4

Following an epic third round at the 2014 Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club is prepped for a thrilling finish during Sunday's final 18 holes. With so many big names in contention, there's no telling who could walk away with the green jacket when this major championship concludes.

Pin positions made the flags more accessible on Saturday, leading to several lower scores and a number of stars ascending on the leaderboard. In shooting a two-under 70, Jordan Spieth managed to tie with 36-hole leader Bubba Watson for first, as Watson lost ground amid favorable conditions in posting a 74.

Entering the third round, Watson held a three-shot lead over John Senden. Despite that huge advantage, history indicated that the 2012 Masters champion was far from certain to close the deal from there, as PGA Tour Stats alluded to:

An interesting incident occurred before the third round got underway, when Watson and Spieth dreamed about being in the final Sunday pairing, per Masters.com's Vartan Kupelian:

"

We joked about it on the range when they were going to the tee. [Spieth and his caddie] said, "We'll see you in the last group on Sunday." And I was like, "You'd better play good." But obviously I should have played a little bit better. It's fun. It will be good. He's a great player obviously. A guy like that, he obviously has no fear. And his game is just going to get better and better.

"

Miguel Angel Jimenez was Saturday's early headliner, stringing together a bundle of birdies on the back nine to shoot a six-under 66.

That not only gave Jimenez the low round of this year's tournament, but it was also an extraordinary accomplishment for the 50-year-old veteran, per ESPN's Justin Ray:

Paired with Jimenez for Sunday is Rickie Fowler, but until he wins more than once on the PGA Tour, it's hard to consider Fowler a true star—despite his stellar world ranking of No. 39.

Just one stroke off the lead is another capable, seasoned pro in Matt Kuchar, who posted a 68 to continue his characteristic steady play. Below are some predictions as to how golf's top stars will fare amid the pressure-packed atmosphere of Masters Sunday.

Note: Statistics are courtesy of PGATour.com and Masters.com's leaderboard.

Bubba Watson (-5)

Matt Slocum

After stumbling out of the starting blocks in the final pairing with a bogey at the opening hole, it looked as though Watson might succumb to the pressure of being a front-runner. That notion was put to rest when Watson used his power to his advantage at the par-five second, hitting his iron approach to inside 10 feet to set up an eagle.

Watson's length and preferred right-to-left cut shot off the tee suits him well for the numerous dogleg-left hole designs at Augusta. With the way he's striking the ball, he continues to be one of the men to beat through three days.

Stephanie Wei of WeiUnderPar.com was hoping that Watson would give some ground to the field to keep the event interesting, rather than running away with his "Bubba Golf" tactics reigning superior:

That wish was granted when Watson started losing traction on the greens, three-putting the par-three sixth hole and bogeying three holes on the front nine after his eagle to allow his challengers to catch him.

At least Watson was able to refocus and drain two critical par saves on 17 and 18 to remain tied at the top and play in the final pairing for the second day in a row, this time with Spieth.

The shakiness he showed on the greens Saturday must be rectified before the final 18 holes. Watson will have plenty of time to practice and prepare before the first tee, but he also began misfiring with his irons late in the third round and struggled with distance control and general proximity to the hole.

As good of a lag putter as Watson had been before Round 3, his flaw will reveal itself down the stretch and he won't be able to close out a second Masters title in three years.

Prediction: Watson finishes tied for third at five under par

Jordan Spieth (-5)

Matt Slocum

No matter the stage or the stakes, it seems that Spieth is destined for golf greatness at the ripe age of 20.

Playing alongside defending champion Adam Scott in Round 3 didn't make the American prodigy so much as flinch, as he got off to a quick start by birdieing the par-four third hole to get into second place alone at the time.

Spieth started 2013 with no status on the PGA Tour and has worked his way up to 13th in the world rankings already. Any sliver of opportunity he's had to prove himself has been met with enthusiasm and exceptional play, and his first trip down Magnolia Lane has been no different.

Golf Channel's Jason Sobel and Jay Coffin provided context for the epic heights Spieth is already reaching, with Coffin using modern greats such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson as context:

ESPN personality Skip Bayless feels that it is critical for Spieth to rise to the occasion and claim the green jacket in his Masters debut:

Other young stars in Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed were grouped with Spieth for the first two rounds, but he outclassed both of them. Reed missed the cut, while McIlroy went out by himself on Saturday having made the cut on the number.

It would be nice to see the precocious Spieth continue to live up to the hype. Nothing about his game is spectacular, yet he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, either. Spieth could indeed become the youngest Masters champion ever come Sunday, and given the way he's performed, there's no reason to doubt him.

Yours truly is done doubting Spieth because of his age. This stage doesn't faze him in the slightest, and he will be the one donning the snazzy green apparel on Sunday evening.

Prediction: Spieth wins at eight under par

Matt Kuchar (-4)

David J. Phillip

It's all about shot making at Augusta National, and few on the planet can rival Kuchar when it comes to that facet of golf. Kuchar seemingly plays within himself and possesses perhaps the best course management skills of anyone on tour.

Even a bogey on the 18th on Saturday didn't subtract too much from the massive climb Kuchar made on moving day, as it was just one of two dropped shots on his scorecard. He isn't the biggest hitter off the tee, but like Spieth, Kuchar has a great all-around game, and his preferred right-to-left draw is perfect for this course's layout.

Ray alludes to the recent struggles Kuchar has had in final rounds after being in contention in his two most recent starts:

Kuchar's close calls seem to suggest he's due a victory, especially since he is viewed as one of the best players not to have won a major. With a tie for third in 2012 and a tie for eighth last year, he's had immense success at Augusta as of late.

Ryan Lavner of Golf Channel believes the bogey at 18 may have been a blessing in disguise based on how Kuchar has fared in front:

Don't expect a Sunday collapse from Kuchar. Not often considered among the game's best putters, he is rolling the rock beautifully this week, taking just 86 putts in 54 holes—an average of less than 29. That bodes well for his chances.

As has been implied above, though, Spieth seems destined to be golf's next big thing, while Kuchar will be feeling the pressure to get it done in a major before his window closes. Kuchar will undoubtedly have more opportunities if he stays in this type of form, however, Sunday will be another learning experience as he finishes in second to Spieth.

Prediction: Kuchar finishes in second at seven under

Miguel Angel Jimenez (-3)

David Cannon/Getty Images

Perhaps one of the most underrated golfers in the world, Jimenez has remained steady and consistent for a span of three decades. With 20 victories on the European Tour, all that's really missing from his resume is a major title.

Despite his failure to close the deal at golf's biggest events, there is a track record of success for Jimenez at Augusta National, per the European Tour's official Twitter account:

Jimenez doesn't boast the distance off the tee that Watson or even Spieth do, but he's nicknamed The Mechanic for a reason. A unique move through the ball and the grit that comes with years of experience still make Jimenez a threat despite his advanced age.

It's pretty clear that Jimenez is comfortable strolling down Magnolia Lane in light of his comments about the historic Masters venue, as reported by GolfDigest.com's Sam Weinman:

The magic will likely run out on Jimenez, though. His lack of distance and the longer clubs in his hands on approach shots will catch up to him when he has to make a move on the back nine, resulting in a strong flirtation with the green jacket that will fall short in the end.

Prediction: Jimenez finishes tied for third at five under par

There are many capable challengers who could mount a Sunday rally and stun the golfing world. However, it's hard to envisage anyone catching Watson if his form keeps up. On putts of between 15 and 25 feet, Watson ranks No. 1 on tour, and those are the critical length strokes that often decide the Masters.

With the amount of natural feel Watson plays with, he is susceptible to letting his flat iron get away from him at times. The problem for the rest of his peers is that Watson hits it so far and has played so well from tee to green that even a slight concession on the greens won't offer too much comfort.

The statistic alluded to before notes how ultimately poor his track record is at retaining 36-hole leads, though, so Watson must prove he can still play from way out in front to win the Masters yet again. Yours truly believes the one to topple Watson will be his playing competitor, Spieth, but anything can happen on Sunday at Augusta National.