2012 Masters Predictions: Tiger, Phil, Rory, It’s up for Grabs

It's time for a tradition just like any other. Predicting who will win a giant sports event. Of all the sports, golf is one of the trickiest to predict. You're relying on one person to play their best, for four straight days, with no teammates to pick up the slack. 

Kobe Bryant might have a terrible game, but your prediction of the Lakers beating the Warriors might come true if Pau Gasol plays great. You don't have that luxury in golf.

That said, who's going to win the coveted green jacket this weekend?

First, I know who won't win this week. Anyone who comes out on top of the annual Par 3 challenge. No player has ever won that event on Wednesday, and gone on to win The Masters in the same year. Why guys don't just tank it if they're leading, I'll never know.

Anyway, I think it's going to come down to the big names. There's a reason everyone is looking forward to this Masters so much. Tiger Woods is playing well, Phil Mickelson looks determined this year, Rory McIlroy wants to avenge last year's choke job, the battle for the world's number one ranking is ongoing.

There are a ton of storylines and the main characters are driving them.

I think Mickelson will make a serious challenge for his fourth win at Augusta National, but in the end, Tiger will hold on for his fifth green jacket. I think (and hope) we'll see those two in the final group on Sunday with some serious down to the wire drama. I wouldn't be surprised to see Rory paired up with Tiger either, or Luke Donald for that matter. But whoever Tiger plays with in the final round will be playing for second.

Bold, I know.

Article by Eric Gray