Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

Now that 2011’s final major is behind us, the 2012 edition of The Masters is just eight short months away. Despite a year of injuries and struggles that led to him sitting out two majors and missing the cut at this past weekend’s PGA Championship, Tiger Woods is still the early 6/1 betting favorite to take the green jacket, with US Open champion Rory McIlroy close behind at 7/1.

Longtime rival Phil Mickelson is next at 10/1.  World No. 1 Luke Donald is at 25/1, while World No. 2 Lee Westwood is at 20/1 — both Englishman are still looking for their first major championship.  Defends Masters champ Charl Schwarzel opens at 40/1.

Despite all Tiger’s struggles the past two years, he has managed to finish tied for fourth in each of the past two Masters, so maybe next April he will be able to break through again at Augusta and win his 15th career major title.

Here are the current futures odds for the top contenders to win The Masters in 2012:

• Tiger Woods, USA (Current World Ranking: 33) 6/1
• Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland (5) 7/1
• Phil Mickelson, USA (6) 10/1
• Lee Westwood, England (2) 20/1
• Luke Donald, England (1) 25/1
• Martin Kaymer, Germany (4) 33/1
• Dustin Johnson, USA (9) 33/1
• Nick Watney, USA (10) 33/1
• Steve Stricker, USA (3) 40/1
• Adam Scott, Australia (7) 40/1
• Jason Day, Australia (8) 40/1
• Charl Schwartzel, South Africa (11) 40/1
• Matt Kuchar, USA (12) 40/1
• Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland (13) 40/1
• Bubba Watson, USA (15) 40/1
• Hunter Mahan, USA (21) 40/1
• Justin Rose, England (36) 40/1
• Geoff Ogilvy, Australia (46) 40/1
• Sergio Garcia, Spain (49)  40/1
• Anthony Kim, USA (66) 40/1