Past Practice:  Why Phil Mickelson will win the 77th Masters Tournament

When sorting through the field, one of the first things most fantasy gamers look at coming into any tournament is how so-and-so golfer performed at this same tournament last year?  After all, a good showing last year means they’re primed for a win this year right?  When trying to pick a Masters winner though, say, in the last ten years, that theory wouldn’t have necessarily helped you.  Well, unless your pick is Phil Mickelson that is.  Of the last ten Masters champions, only Mickelson has cracked the Top-10 the year before.  In fact, in all three of Mickelson’s Master’s victories, he’s finished in the Top-10 the year before EVERY time.  The other seven champions not named Phil didn’t even finish inside the Top-20 the year prior.

Here’s a complete list of the Last 10 Masters Champions and where they finished the year prior:

2012 Champion:  Bubba Watson
2011:  Tied for 38th (T38)

2011 Champion:  Charl Schwartzel
2010:  T30

2010 Champion:  Phil Mickelson
2009:  Fifth

2009 Champion:  Angel Cabrera
2008:  T25

2008 Champion:  Trevor Immelman
2007:  T55

2007 Champion:  Zach Johnson
2006:  T32

2006 Champion:  Phil Mickelson
2005: 10th 

2005 Champion:  Tiger Woods
2004:  T22

2004 Champion:  Phil Mickelson
2003:  Third

2003 Champion:  Mike Weir
2002:  T24

Where did Phil place in last year’s 2012 Masters?  Tied third.  If history is any indication, Phil Mickelson will win this year’s 77th Masters Tournament.