The Masters 2011 Analysis: Phil Mickelson and the Entire Field Breakdown

Phil Mickelson cleared up an incredibly foggy vision of this year's Masters field with his weekend performance in Houston.

This 2011 version of the chase for the Green Jacket is simply Mickelson's to win or lose. The Masters is his Magnificent Obsession. For the first time since 1997, he has surpassed Tiger Woods in the world rankings. 

Here's a breakdown of the entire 99-player field for this week's first major of the season:

Solid Favorites:

Phil Mickelson: If he putts as well as he did the final two rounds in Houston, look out. He was hitting the shots at Redstone that will serve him well at Augusta National. The only question remaining: Can Phil win when he's expected to win? This is his tournament to win or lose.

Lee Westwood: Finished runner-up to Mickelson last year and remains the best player in the world who hasn't won a major. He's driving the ball well, but will his short game be ready for him to make a serious run?

Dustin Johnson: He's one of Jim Furyk's four picks. The guy can flat-out bomb it but the huge question mark is his brain. Can this guy think his way around the back nine on Sunday without the kind of meltdown we saw at the U.S. Open and the PGA?

Hunter Mahan: Great performance here last year and he says his game is in order, feels he can go low at any time. Will his short game hold up under extreme pressure? Tied for eighth last year, got a taste of contention last year. 

Nick Watney: Proven he can be a factor on this golf course. Very streaky with the putter and he's a really jittery, nervous kinda guy. Would be interesting to watch his body language if he was in one of the final four groups on Sunday.

Tiger Woods: Four Green Jackets and a lot of determination. His fourth place finish last year was nothing short of miraculous. What will his short game look like this week? Did he leave the Devil Ball back in Orlando, or is it hiding somewhere in one of the side pockets of his golf bag?

Bubba Watson: No one's talking about the longest hitter on tour. Mickelson and Mike Weir have proven this course sets up well for lefties. Bubba hits those incredible, high, soft iron shots, and those work well here. Has made a major improvement in his putting. If he was to win, there's a 100 percent chance he'll cry at the Green Jacket ceremony.

Major Contenders:

Watch Out:

K.J. Choi: T4 last year, nice ball-striker with improved putting.

Y.E. Yang: T8 with Mahan last year. Has the game and the nerves down the stretch. Ask Tiger.

Ian Poulter: T10 last year. Has the game and the attitude, depends on his putter.

Luke Donald: Missed cut last year, has pulled his game out of the doldrums. Shot 62 last week at Jack Nicklaus' private domain in Jupiter, The Bear's Club. New course record.

Steve Stricker: T30 last year. Knocked off some rust in Houston last week. Should be ready.

Don't Be Surprised:

Jim Furyk: Missed cut last year, playing better right now, will have to find his A game this week.

Martin Kaymer: The world's No. 1 player hasn't made the cut here in three appearances. Doesn't know the pressure of the back nine on Sunday afternoon.

Graeme McDowell:  Is honest in acknowledging that this course doesn't set up well for him. He struggles a bit drawing the ball but is precise enough to contend if he's putting well.

Miguel Angel Jimenez: Ah, the world's most interesting golfer. You may have forgotten that he tied for 12th last year. Not long but precise. Nice short game.

Paul Casey: The word potential is always used with him. Great length, solid iron striker. Can he come up with a short game to get close on Sunday? Missed the cut last year.

Very Capable:

Trevor Immelman: Former champion got a T14 last year. Finally healthy and hitting the ball longer. Don't discount him.

Angel Cabrera: T18 last year, the 2009 champion hasn't won in the U.S. since his victory at Augusta. Has length and touch.

Rory McIlroy: A lot of experts feel he has the best chance of all the Europeans. He's a little inconsistent and that's not a good thing here. Missed cut last year.

Matt Kuchar: Made a name for himself at Augusta as an amateur. Hasn't done anything since. Time for Kuch to prove himself.

Vijay Singh: He's actually putting better. He'll need it to handle these greens.

Don't Forget:

Ricky Barnes: T10 last year, got a taste of contention. Has the long game, just a matter of putting.

Geoff Ogilvy: T26 last year. You keep waiting for this guy to contend.

Retief Goosen: T30 last year. Changed putters. Capable ball striker.

Francesco Molinari: T32 last year, smooth, cool player.

Charyl Schwartzel: T30 last year. Great swing, a lot of game.

Good Enough:

Louis Oosthuizen: Missed cut last year, hasn't done much since winning the Open Championship.

Ross Fisher: Has an Augusta game but his wife is expecting and he might have to leave early.

Edoardo Molinari: Good player, not as good as his brother.

Dark Horses

Group A:

Ryan Moore, Martin Laird, Steve Marino, Jerry Kelly, Justin Rose: All solid players. Moore played well last year, Marino playing really well.

Group B:

David Toms, Robert Allenby, Jonathan Byrd, Ernie Els, Adam Scott: Allenby is playing the best of this bunch. How will Scott play with the new long putter?

Group C:

Paddy Harrington, Mark Wilson, Sergio Garcia, Brandt Snedeker, Carl Pettersson: Harrington had his moments in Houston, Garcia hitting the ball really well but his putter is still biting him in the butt.

Group D:

Aaron Baddeley, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Rory Sabbatini, Stuart Appleby: Baddeley played well in Houston. Sabbatini can contend here if his putter cooks like it did at the Honda.

Group E:

Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Lucas Glover, Jason Day, Alvaro Quiros: Couples made a magnificent run last year but his back is really bothering him this season. Watson is Watson, can contend with his ball striking but his putting won't let him. Quiros is stupid long.

Group F:

Rickie Fowler, Ryan Palmer, Jeff Overton, Johnny Vegas, Gary Woodland: This group is long on talent but short on experience at Augusta.

Long Shots:

Group A:

Ryo Ishikawa, Bill Haas, Robert Karlsson, Henrik Stenson, Ben Crane: If Ishikawa could contend, it would be a major spirit boost for the entire nation of Japan.

Group B:

Tim Clark, Alex Cejka, D.A. Points, Heath Slocum, Yuta Ikeda: Clark's had major physical problems all year. Ikeda might play well.

Group C:

Davis Love III, Bo Van Pelt, Sean O'Hair, Jason Bohn, Gregory Havret: O'Hair might have the best chance of this group.

Group D:

Charley Hoffman, Anders Hansen, Peter Hanson, Camilo Villegas, Kevin Streelman: Hoffman is capable.

Group E:

Anthony Kim, Kevin Na: Kim was simply sensational here last year but has struggled with a comeback from thumb surgery. Played pretty darn well in Houston, perhaps this course can really bring him back to life.

Not A Prayer:

Amateurs: David Chung, Jim Jeong, Peter Uihlein, Lion Kim, Nathan Smith: No amateur has ever won the Masters and won't this year but the guys can enjoy themselves. Just get back on the grounds before the gates close at 10:30 p.m.

Former Champions: Mark O'Meara, Larry Mize, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle, Craig Stadler, Mike Weir, Ben Crenshaw, Ian Woosnam: Time won't let them with the exception of Mike Weir, whose game is in total shambles.

Others: Arjun Atwal, Hiroyuki Fujita, Hideki Matsuyama, Kyung-Tae Kim: Is one of these guys the next Shingo Katyama?

There you have it. The entire Masters field for your inspection and speculation.

Enjoy.