Masters Contenders: Who Will Win the Green Jacket?
- The 90th edition of the Masters is set to begin at Augusta National Golf Club with a field of 91 players.
- Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament as the favorite to win.
- Scheffler's preparation for the event may have been impacted by a pre-Masters break for the birth of his second child, which could leave him feeling rusty.
The 90th edition of the Masters is set to begin at Augusta National Golf Club with a field of 91 players. While some observers have described the tournament as wide open, expert analysis and betting odds suggest a smaller group of contenders are most likely to claim the green jacket.
Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament as the favorite to win. Scheffler, who is the top-ranked golfer in the world, has previously won the Masters in 2022 and 2024. Despite being the favorite, some reports indicate his odds have slipped slightly ahead of the tee-off.
Scheffler’s preparation for the event may have been impacted by a pre-Masters break for the birth of his second child, which could leave him feeling rusty. However, he remains a primary contender to maintain his streak of winning the tournament in even-numbered years.
Defending Champion and Top Contenders
Rory McIlroy arrives at Augusta National as the defending champion, having won the 2025 Masters in a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose. That victory allowed McIlroy to complete the career Grand Slam, making him only the sixth golfer to achieve the feat.
McIlroy’s attempt to repeat his victory faces some uncertainty, as back problems have put his chances of a consecutive win in doubt. Despite this, he now enjoys the privileges of a past champion, including a parking space in the champions’ car park and the use of the champions’ locker room.
Jon Rahm is another high-profile favorite. The 2023 Masters champion has shown strong form in LIV Golf this year, recording two first-place finishes and three second-place finishes across five events. Rahm currently holds a world ranking of 30 and is first in the LIV Golf standings.
Other notable players in the field include Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, and Cameron Young, all of whom are viewed as significant contenders for the title.
Field Analysis and Predictions
The depth of the current professional golf field has led to differing opinions on the likelihood of an upset. Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, suggested that while the field is strong, only about 10 to 12 players have a legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.
Patrick Reed
I feel like the field this week is really strong, like always. I feel like it used to be five or six, maybe seven guys. No, I definitely feel like this year you have 10 to 12 guys who have a really legitimate opportunity to win the green jacket.
CBS Sports further narrowed this list, identifying nine players as the most likely candidates to win. This analysis aligns with recent trends at the Masters and other major championships. Six of the last seven Masters champions were among the top three favorites entering their respective weeks, with Hideki Matsuyama in 2021 being the only exception.
From a broader perspective of the last two years, seven of the last eight major champions were top-five favorites entering the week, with J.J. Spaun noted as a recent exception to this trend.
Player Statistics and Odds
- Scottie Scheffler: Age 29; World Ranking: 1; FedEx Cup Ranking: 7; Odds: +510.
- Jon Rahm: Age 31; World Ranking: 30; LIV Golf Standing: 1; Odds: +900.
The tournament field consists of 91 golfers, ranging from established favorites and past champions to rising stars and sleeper candidates. While the narrative of a wide-open tournament persists, the historical data and current form heavily favor a small group of elite players.