Who Will Master Augusta?

No it's not a football or music related post. But it is a post on golf's finest tournament. When the 2012 Masters champion is presented with the famous green jacket on Sunday, I'm sure he will have had to do it the hard way, in what is set to be a classic Masters tournament.

This Thursday 97 players will take to the first tee on the Augusta National, all with one goal in mind, to win the most recognisable jacket in sport. Yes it's even more recognisable than Arsene Wenger's Nike trench coat. But with one of the most evenly matched field of players ever assembled to battle it out in Georgia, USA, who is the main contenders and who is likely to spring a surprise?

Firstly, I must mention our leading British contingents. The world's top three ranked players, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, and Lee Westwood are without doubt amongst the favourites. However, I have my doubts about their chances this year.

Luke Donald has rarely impressed at Augusta, having only had two top five finishes in his seven appearances. Last year he finished a respectable fourth, although I can't see him reaching the same heights this year. A win in Florida three weeks ago reinstating him as the world number one, means he will enter the tournament high on confidence. But he may need to wait a bit longer before he wins that elusive first major.

As the reigning US Open champion, Rory McIlroy has proven that he has the pedigree to win majors. However, he will still be haunted by his final round at the Masters last year. After leading for the first three rounds, the 22 year old Northern Irishman carded a final round 80 in what was a horrendous Sunday for the world number two. He has only played in three Masters with a best placed tied 15th. A top ten finish is likely this year for Rory, who has taken a three week break in preparation for the tournament, which I feel may be a hindrance more than a head start.

Lee Westwood could well be on his way to being crowned the greatest player never to win a major. Several near misses has left everyone, including himself, wandering if he will ever win one of golf's four majors. He has had an average year so far, the high point being a second place finish in the Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament which he probably should have won. Don't be surprised if his name crops up at the business end of the scoreboard on the final day, just don't bet on him winning.

Another Brit worth a mention is Justin Rose. Currently sitting ninth in the world rankings, Rose has never missed the cut at the Masters. A good end to last season, has been followed up be an equally good start to the 2012 campaign. A tied fifth finish at the Honda Classic, was bettered with victory in the Cadillac Championship. South African born Rose, is peaking in his inconsistent golfing career, and he seems like the most likely Britain to pull on the green jacket at the end of the week.

The most successful nation, in terms of Masters wins, after the USA, is South Africa. With five wins, albeit three from Gary Player, I wouldn't rule out a sixth this year. The defending champion, Charl Schwartzel, birdied the final four holes last year to post a winning -14 score. He has hit a bit of form in recent weeks and could be the first player to defend the title since Tiger Woods a decade ago. His good friend Louis Oosthuizen is also in with a shout. The 2010 Open champion finished third in Houston last week and has also hit form at the right time.

It may surprise many people to hear that an Australian has never won the Masters. It is the only major never to have been taken 'down under', but that has a good chance of changing this year. There are six Aussie's in the mix, and the most likely contenders of that six are Adam Scott and Jason Day who both finished tied second last year.

Adam Scott has somewhat underachieved since appearing on the professional circuit in 2000. Labelled the next Greg Norman, Scott has never won a major, although he does have a decent record at Augusta. With only two missed cuts in ten appearances at the Masters, there is a good chance he may go one better than last year. Scott also arrives at Augusta this year with a new caddie. Former Tiger Woods caddie Steve Williams, is the richest sportsman in New Zealand and has years of experience as a caddie. His experience may have come in handy last year for Scott, but in a crunch situation this week, Williams might prove to give Scott that winning edge.

Last year, Jason Day surprised us all in finishing second at Augusta. Although Day has only two career wins, he has a very good record at the majors. He has only played in four events this year, but he has made the cut in all of them. The 24 year old Australian has an unorthodox style, and he is known to take risks out on the course. Will his risks pay off and give him his first major title - I wouldn't bet against him.

That leaves us with the Americans. It seems like the 2010 Ryder Cup was the 'boot up the backside' American golf needed. Since then American golf has witnessed a dramatic improvement, and their is quite a few in contention for the green jacket.

Three time winner Phil Mickleson should never be counted out of the Masters. Has anyone played the course as well as he has? His 'wonder' shot out of the trees on the 13th in 2010 was one of the greatest shots ever witnessed in east Georgia. He has felt the taste of victory this season and may see this as his last realistic chance of winning again at Augusta. I can't see anything less than a top five finish for 'lefty'.

Hunter Mahan is arguably the most on form player this year. He is the only player to win twice on the PGA Tour this season, clinching victory in Arizona in February and at the Houston Open last week. However, the winner of the tournament held the week before the Masters, has traditionally underachieved at Augusta. But, I would not be surprised if Mahan breaks this tradition and wins his first major, which if it doesn't come this week, will by the end of the year, judging by his current form.

My top tip goes to Kyle Stanley. Stanley won the Ben Hogan Award in 2009, which is awarded to the best academy player in America. He shot to fame earlier this year when he unbelievable squandered the opportunity to win his maiden tour title. Leading by six shots going into the final round, the tournament was Stanley's to loose, and loose it he did. His lead was reduced to three going down the 18th and somehow Stanley managed to triple bogey the last, forcing a playoff which he subsequently lost. But a career low, soon changed to a career high a week later, when Stanley came from eight shots back to win the Phoenix Open. This amazing display of character proves to me that he has the ability to win this week.

That just leaves Tiger Woods. Only Jack Nicklaus owns more green jackets than Tiger, who has not won a major since 2008. But he is gradually beginning to return to his best again, highlighted by his win two weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. A return to the world top ten, could be complimented with a 15th major win, just short of three years since his life was turned upside down. Woods will have a hard task on his hands, which is most likely to come from his American compatriots. Anything other than an American win would be a shock.