Fantasy Golf: 5 Dark Horse Candidates to Win the 2014 Masters

Billy Horschel will be playing in his first Masters this weekend. He burst onto the scene last year at the U.S. Open, where he finished T-4 and even held the lead midway through the tournament. He had an accomplished amateur career as well, highlighted by his time at the University of Florida; he was a four-time All-American. His first career win came last year at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Hideki Matsuyama, at only 22 years of age, could be the first Japanese player to win a major. In April 2012, he was the top-ranked amateur. The following year, he turned pro, and he finished in the top 20 in three of the four majors. The only major he did not play in was the Masters, but it's not like he doesn't have experience at Augusta National. In 2011, he finished T-27, receiving low-amateur honors.

Jimmy Walker may be the hottest player on tour right now. He has already won three times this year, including the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. With the treacherous Augusta greens, putting is key, and Walker is ranked second in strokes gained with the putter. He is ranked 24th according to the Official World Golf Rankings, and while he hasn't had a ton of success in majors in the past, this could be the year he breaks out.

Augusta National could be a perfect course for Harris English. He hits the long ball, which could give him a distinct advantage on the Par 5s and the long Par 4s. English looks to be coming into his own; he earned two wins in 2013, one at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis and the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. English also went toe-to-toe with Rory McIlroy in the second round of the WGC Accenture Match Play, beating him 1up.

Thorbjorn Olesen is just oozing with talent. He earned four wins in he Nordic League after he turned pro in 2008. He played in his first Masters last year and he finished T-6. After an opening round 78, he shot a 70, 68 and 68. He knows how to play Augusta National, and he knows that he can succeed there. While he hasn't won on the PGA Tour yet, he is bound to some time -- why not the Masters?