AUGUSTA, Ga. — While Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, will miss the 89th Masters due to recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, the tournament remains compelling as the world`s top golfers gather at Augusta National Golf Club this week.
Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1 globally, aims to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to secure three green jackets within four years. Achieving this would also make him just the fourth golfer in Masters history to win consecutively, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods.
Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2, enters the tournament with strong momentum and is seeking to become the sixth golfer in the Masters era to complete a career Grand Slam by winning a green jacket. This marks his 11th attempt to achieve this milestone and end a major championship drought spanning over a decade.
Beyond these top contenders, the Masters promises further excitement as it marks the first time in eight months that golfers from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League will compete against each other.
Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “It`s a week that we all cherish the most. It`s the start of the major championship series. History is made there every year.”
Here`s an overview of the 95 golfers participating, categorized from potential winners to those aiming to make the cut.
Sections:
Top Favorites | Possible Winners | Dark Horses
Long Shots | Aiming for the Cut | Past Champions | Amateurs
Top Tier: The Clear Favorites
While a showdown between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy is highly anticipated, other golfers like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are strong contenders. These golfers have the best odds to win this Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
After recovering from a hand injury earlier in the season, the world No. 1 is back in top form. In his recent appearance at the Texas Children`s Houston Open, he finished tied for second, just one stroke behind Min Woo Lee. Scheffler excelled in putting and approach shots. Although still seeking his first win of the season, he remains the top pick, having won two of the last three Masters.
Rory McIlroy
This Masters could be McIlroy`s best chance to finally win a green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam. He has already secured two victories this season and is playing exceptionally well. With some top players recovering from injuries, McIlroy is arguably the favorite at Augusta National. He was fine-tuning his driver and managing an elbow issue in Houston recently.
Collin Morikawa
Statistical analysis indicates that recent Masters champions typically show strong tee-to-green performance leading up to the tournament. Morikawa currently leads the tour in this metric. Despite not winning since October 2023, a victory seems imminent. He was in contention in the final round in 2024 but faltered slightly, eventually finishing tied for third.
Jon Rahm
The 2023 Masters champion faced questions about his competitiveness in major championships after moving to LIV Golf. However, a strong performance at The Open quelled these doubts. Rahm has been successful in LIV Golf and has a consistent record at Augusta National with multiple top-10 finishes.
Ludvig Åberg
Åberg has quickly adapted to professional golf. In his Masters debut last year, he finished second to Scheffler. He was in contention to become the first Masters rookie winner since 1979 but faced a setback on the 11th hole. Åberg secured a PGA Tour win at the Genesis Invitational in February but has had mixed results in subsequent tournaments.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau seems to have overcome past criticisms regarding his views on Augusta National. Last year, he led after the first round but finished in sixth place, his best Masters result.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele has performed well at the Masters recently, with several top-10 finishes. After recovering from an injury, he is aiming to regain peak form. He showed strong approach play in his recent tournament.
Brooks Koepka
As a major championship specialist, Koepka is expected to be a contender at Augusta National, where he has a solid track record. He has openly expressed his strong desire to win the Masters, which may have added pressure in past attempts.
Tier Two: The Guys Who Can Win
These are strong contenders just below the top favorites. They possess the skill and mental fortitude needed for success at Augusta.
Justin Thomas
Thomas recently came close to his first PGA Tour victory in three years, finishing second at the Valspar Championship. He has shown improved form this season and has the capability to contend at the Masters, despite past missed cuts.
Cameron Smith
Smith has maintained a low profile recently but had a strong showing at the 2024 Masters. He has a history of top finishes at Augusta National.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 in 2024 and has been consistent in his recent tour starts.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has been performing well on the DP World Tour and had a good result at the 2024 Masters. However, he has a noted dislike for the 15th hole at Augusta National.
Jordan Spieth
Approaching the anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth shows signs of resurgence after recovering from wrist surgery. Despite some inconsistencies at Augusta, he has a strong overall record there.
Joaquín Niemann
Niemann, a multiple winner worldwide, is still seeking a breakthrough in major championships. He has had decent finishes in his last two Masters appearances and has won twice in the LIV Golf League this season.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion won early in the season but has struggled with driving accuracy recently.
Russell Henley
Henley, a Georgia native, recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has performed well at the Masters before.
Sepp Straka
Straka has been consistently improving at Augusta National and has a recent tour win.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland recently won the Valspar Championship, raising questions about whether this signals a return to top form.
Min Woo Lee
Lee recently secured his first PGA Tour victory at the Houston Open and has had decent Masters results previously.
Patrick Reed
The 2018 Masters champion consistently performs well at Augusta National.
Justin Rose
Rose, a two-time Masters runner-up, is capable of a strong performance despite inconsistent recent form.
Daniel Berger
Berger has shown strong form after recovering from injury and has a past top-10 finish at the Masters.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley has had improved Masters results in his last two appearances.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre returns to the Masters after a good 2023 season and a high world ranking.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris is still seeking a major breakthrough but has a strong Masters record with consecutive top-10s.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has been consistent in major championships, including the Masters.
Shane Lowry
Lowry has been in contention several times this season and has a past Masters top-3 finish.
Maverick McNealy
McNealy`s strong season has elevated his world ranking, and this will be his Masters debut.
Harris English
English, another Georgia native, won earlier this season and is a strong putter.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard had a promising Masters debut last year, showing potential despite a challenging third round.
Tier Three: If Everything Goes Right
These are potential dark horses who could win if they play exceptionally well. This group includes past champions and players with inconsistent recent form.
Wyndham Clark
Clark`s form has been inconsistent, but he has shown flashes of brilliance, including a recent top finish in Houston. He missed the cut in his Masters debut.
Sungjae Im
Im`s Masters results have been varied, with both high finishes and missed cuts.
Dustin Johnson
Can the 2020 Masters champion contend again? His LIV Golf results have been mixed, but he has the pedigree for Augusta.
Lucas Glover
Glover is coming off strong recent performances and possesses a game suited to Augusta National.
Brian Harman
The Open Championship winner recently found form again with a win at the Valero Texas Open. His Masters record is inconsistent.
J.J. Spaun
Spaun is playing some of his best golf and has had high finishes in recent tournaments.
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia, a young talent with two tour wins, has shown strong overall performance this season.
Jason Day
Day`s recent Masters record is not as strong as his earlier career, but he has the experience.
Adam Scott
It has been some time since Scott`s Masters victory, and his recent form is not indicative of contention.
Tony Finau
Finau has struggled recently, particularly with his iron play.
Sahith Theegala
Theegala had a good Masters debut but has been inconsistent this season.
Thomas Detry
Detry has performed well in recent majors, and this will be his first Masters.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick`s recent form has been challenging, and he has made a caddie change.
Tom Kim
Kim has made the cut in his first two Masters but has been inconsistent in 2025.
Corey Conners
Conners has a strong Masters record but his iron play has not been as sharp recently.
Chris Kirk
Kirk`s form is not at its peak, but he has had decent Masters results recently.
Sam Burns
Burns has struggled at Augusta National and in recent tournaments.
Michael Kim
Kim is making his first Masters start in several years after improving his world ranking.
Tier Four: Hey, Miracles Happen
These are long shots, including past champions and players trying to find their form at Augusta National.
Davis Thompson
Thompson is playing better recently and is making his Masters debut.
Cam Davis
Davis showed promise at last year`s Masters but has struggled recently.
Aaron Rai
Rai is making his Masters debut and is known for his strong iron play.
Tom Hoge
Hoge is a solid iron player and has a recent top finish.
Billy Horschel
Horschel has a streak of made cuts at Augusta National.
Denny McCarthy
McCarthy`s putting could make him a surprise contender.
Taylor Pendrith
Pendrith is making his Masters debut with several top-10 finishes this season.
J.T. Poston
Poston has made the cut in his recent Masters appearances.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson, a three-time champion, had a strong performance at the Masters two years ago, showing he can still compete.
Nick Taylor
Taylor won earlier this season but has struggled in majors recently.
Cameron Young
Young had good Masters results but has been in poor form lately.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia is making his 100th major start, but his recent Masters record is not strong.
Danny Willett
Willett is a past champion who could surprise again.
Laurie Canter
Canter is making his Masters debut after qualifying through world rankings.
Byeong Hun An
An had a decent Masters finish last year.
Nick Dunlap
Dunlap, a young talent, has the potential to turn things around this week.
Rasmus Højgaard
Højgaard is making his Masters debut.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bezuidenhout is a good putter, but his iron play needs improvement.
Stephan Jager
Jager is making his second Masters start.
Matthieu Pavon
Pavon had a decent Masters debut but has struggled this season.
Adam Schenk
Schenk had a good Masters result last year but recent form is poor.
Tier Five: Happy to Make the Cut
These players are unlikely to contend for the win; making the cut would be a success.
Max Homa
Joe Highsmith
Brian Campbell
Rafael Campos
Nico Echavarria
Austin Eckroat
Max Greyserman
Patton Kizzire
Thriston Lawrence
Matt McCarty
Davis Riley
Jhonattan Vegas
Kevin Yu
Homa, despite past high world rankings, has struggled recently. Several players in this tier are Masters first-timers, which historically is challenging. Riley is also a Masters debutant and has recently improved his form.
Tier Six: Past Champions
These past champions are participating due to their lifetime invitation but are not expected to contend. Vijay Singh withdrew due to injury.
Ángel Cabrera
Fred Couples
Zach Johnson
Bernhard Langer
José María Olazábal
Charl Schwartzel
Bubba Watson
Mike Weir
This is expected to be Langer`s final Masters appearance. Couples has set records as the oldest player to make the cut. Cabrera returns after a hiatus.
Tier Seven: Amateurs
These are talented amateur players aiming to make the cut, following in the footsteps of past successful amateurs at the Masters.
Josele Ballester
Evan Beck
Justin Hastings
Noah Kent
Hiroshi Tai
Ballester is a highly-ranked amateur and U.S. Amateur champion. Kent was the U.S. Amateur runner-up. Beck is the U.S. Mid-Amateur champion. Hastings won the Latin American Amateur Championship. Tai is the NCAA Division I individual champion and the first Singaporean to compete in the Masters.
Jasper Hawthorne