Masters 2015: Twitter Predictions Heading into Augusta

With an elite field comprised of players who aren't strangers to winning tournaments and hoisting trophies, the Masters continues to be one of the most competitive events each and every year.

A winning case can be made for almost every participating golfer, and in the days leading up to the tournament, analysts, media and even tour professionals take to Twitter to announce who they feel has the best shot of taking home the green jacket.

Predicting the Masters champion is no easy feat, as the treacherous Augusta National does not play favorites. With more than 7,400 yards of thick rough, slick greens and plenty of hazards, such as Rae's Creek in Amen Corner, navigating this track requires nerves of steel and high levels of confidence.

ESPN's Mike Greenberg tweeted a rather controversial prediction for former Masters champion Tiger Woods:

That's quite a bold statement from the radio personality, as Woods has struggled mightily since finishing the 2013 season ranked No. 1 in the world. Woods failed to place in the top 10 in 2014, and he's either withdrawn or missed the cut in six of his most recent nine starts.

Health issues and swing flaws aren't the only things bothering Woods, as he's been dealing with a bad case of the yips around the green. Those chipping hiccups were very apparent earlier this year and resulted in terribly inaccurate shots from close range.

During a press conference, per Bob Harig of ESPN.com, Woods explained his frustration with his chipping woes:

"

It was more frustration than anything else, because I knew what I could do, and just wasn't able to do it at the time. It would come in flashes. I would get in these modes where it would come for 10 minutes and I would just have it, just dialed in, and then I'd lose it for an hour; and then I'd get it back. And next thing you know, I'd flip to having it for an hour to 10 minutes of losing it and then it got to a point where it was just there.

"

If that issue persists, Augusta National isn't a course that will be forgiving.

Eamonn Holmes of Sky News tweeted the Masters predictions from Woods and Phil Mickelson:

That's right, both former champions feel current world No. 1 Rory McIlroy will earn his first green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam, a feat only six golfers—Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Woods—have previously accomplished.

According to Sky Sports, Woods reflected on completing his own Grand Slam in 2000 and had this to say about McIlroy this year, "And for Rory, you couldn't ask for the other better place to do it, which is here at Augusta. It doesn't get much better than that."

Mickelson shared his thoughts as well, "I think the Masters is very well suited for Rory. He almost won here a couple of years ago—he was leading heading into the back nine. The type of length and ball-striking that he has, I think this a course that he is going to be tough at for the rest of his career."

Although, if McIlroy is to finally earn a green jacket, he must avoid putting up a high number in one of the tournament's four rounds—something that has haunted him in the past.

Back in 2011, McIlroy was fantastic through 54 holes at Augusta, earning a four-stroke lead on the final day. Unfortunately, he completely imploded and finished tied for 15th after posting a horrifying 80. Last year, he earned his best finish in the event, tying for eighth. However, a 77 in Round 2 prevented him from contending.

McIlroy must end that trend this year despite being under heavy pressure to complete his Grand Slam.

As for the world No. 1, he names defending champion Bubba Watson as the tournament's favorite, according to a tweet from the Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman:

Augusta National just seems to suit Watson's game perfectly. The lefty has won the Masters twice in the past three years and is looking to earn his third green jacket in 2015, matching the number owned by fellow lefty Mickelson.

Watson has the advantage of hitting the ball a long way; however, he hasn't been entirely accurate so far this year. The lefty is hitting just 58.15 percent of fairways and 64.62 percent of greens in regulation. Both numbers are below the tour averages. Due to Augusta National's thick rough and unforgiving pin locations, those stats will need to improve for him to win once more.

Kent Sterling of CBS Sports 1430 tweeted his picks for the 2015 Masters, and both are players who have been red hot so far this season:

Jordan Spieth is on an absolute tear right now. He won the Valspar Championship and followed it up with a pair of runner-up finishes in the Valero Texas Open and Shell Houston Open. He's climbed up to No. 4 in the world entering the Masters, a tournament that should provide him with plenty of confidence due to his second-place finish in 2014.

Dustin Johnson returned to the PGA Tour this year after a hiatus, and he didn't take long to make his presence felt. In six appearances this season, he notched a win in the WGC-Cadillac Championship, a tie for second in the Northern Trust Open, a tie for fourth in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and a tie for sixth in the Valero Texas Open.

Johnson is known for his ability to hit the long ball, but he must focus on accuracy to successfully navigate Augusta National. Johnson has never finished better than a tie for 13th in the Masters, but it can be argued he's playing the best golf of his career right now.