If you are anything like us, you are probably counting down the days until the 2012 Masters Tournament begins.

As one of the four major championships in men’s professional golf, there is always an exciting lead up to the start date, waiting to see who has qualified. Invitations to The Masters are issued to golfers who qualify under one of the many qualification categories and the final 2012 Masters field will be announced on April 1.

There are multiple ways that golfers can qualify to receive an invitation to play in The Masters. In fact, there are 19 ways – 19 qualifying criteria. In addition, The Masters Committee can, at its discretion, invite international players who did not meet any of the 19 qualifying criteria which include being a former winner of The Masters, winner of one of the last five U.S. Opens, winner of one of the last five British Opens, winner of one of the last five PGA Championships and so on.

South African Charl Schwartzel won the 2011 event by two strokes over Adam Scott and Jason Day. At just 26, Schwartzel became the third South African to win the Masters on the 50th anniversary of Gary Player’s breakthrough win for a non-American at Augusta. The Johannesburg-born player, who was tied 30th on his debut last year, is a six-time winner on the European Tour and climbs to 11th in the world rankings.

We have provided you with a video which includes the best moments of the 2011 Master’s Championship…fingers crossed this year will be just as eventful…