With doubts over many of the favourites going into Augusta National, arguments will be made for who will be wearing the coveted Green Jacket come Sunday night. 

Let’s start with the favourite, Scottie Scheffler, who welcomed his second child, Remy, to the world last week. His preparation has been disrupted after withdrawing from the Houston Open two weeks ago and has looked well out of sorts since he started the season winning the AMEX. He rightly goes off as the favourite, however it is going to take something special for the world number 1 to become a 3-time Masters Champion on Sunday.

The grand slam winner, Rory McIlroy, looks to defend his long-awaited Augusta crown, yet his preparation has also been hindered after a small tweak in his back in March derailed his Players Championship defence. Only 3 players (Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus) have defended The Masters successfully and while I do feel Rory is in that calibre of greats, it will be a tall order for him to go back-to-back given his slightly halted start to 2026.
Two men who are contesting second favouritism with Rory McIlroy have been slightly out of limelight (depending on who you ask), yet arrive at Augusta with a real chance this year. Step up Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. The pair are LIVing it up still and did not take the chance to return to the PGA Tour like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have opted to do. Let’s start with the 2023 champion Jon Rahm, who is involved in a bitter dispute with the DPWT regarding his Tour membership. It hasn’t halted his play on LIV however, with a win, three second place finishes and a 5th place finish to start his 2026 campaign. It has been hard to assess Rahm’s LIV form, but I do feel the fact that LIV is 4 rounds now may benefit Rahm in terms of his preparation. At last year’s Masters, Rahm opened up with a 75 and still managed a respectable T14 finish. It’s worth noting he also opened up with a double bogey on the first hole
of his win back in ‘23, so it might be worth keeping an eye on Rahm on the in-play markets. He has a chance of course but it’s hard to be sure.
Bryson DeChambeau, more than just a YouTuber and in fact I think this could be the week that will cement him in the greats of the game. Already a 2-time US Open champion, Bryson has come very close here in the past 2 years. He has matured from the early days of when he described Augusta National as a “Par 67”, while his golf game has matured too. He showed a lack of discipline in 2024 where he derailed over the weekend after leading through two rounds. Last year I can’t help but feel that playing with Rory in the final group threw him off. He comes into this after winning the last two LIV events so it really does feel like the perfect time for Bryson. It’s not now or never, but he may not get a better chance to win the Green Jacket. He’s my main pick for this week.

Xander Schauffele could play a big part in this tournament, with a great record at Augusta and already 2 majors under his belt. There has to be concerns for Ludvig Aberg’s capability under the most pressure, as we saw him fall apart on the Sunday of The Players and the Valero Texas Open – he too has a fantastic record at Augusta. The Players Champion, Cameron Young, hasn’t been seen since his emphatic win at Sawgrass, so it’s hard to say how he will perform. The same can be said for Collin Morikawa, who withdrew after hole one of The Players and hasn’t been since. Bobby Mac is one to certainly watch and looked primed to win in Texas on Sunday before a long and gruelling day saw him lose the lead narrowly to old foe JJ Spaun – who also pipped him to the line at last year’s US Open. I don’t think going so deep in contention was the best preparation for him, however he has described Augusta as his favourite golf course in the world on numerous occasions.

With all that being said, I am siding with Matthew Fitzpatrick, who followed up his heartbreak at The Players with a win at the Valspar a few weeks back. Matt is hitting the ball better than ever and will likely be England’s best chance of a Green Jacket, with Fleetwood starting the season slow and Tyrell Hatton showing no signs of any real form on LIV. Of course we can’t forget the people’s champion, Justin Rose, but I really do fear it is too much of an ask to contend here again after last year’s heartbreak. Fitzy however, he has an OK record at Augusta, with a T7 best finish on his second appearance in 2016 but has never really sniffed contention. He comes into this as an experienced veteran, who is playing some of the best golf of his career. IF (it is a big IF) the putter behaves, he has an exceptional chance to contend and become a two-time  major champion, as well as Sheffield’s second winner of The Masters.

And The Masters is never complete without convincing yourself a relatively big outsider can win the whole thing. I am still ashamed to this day that I had genuine belief that Austin Eckroat was going to be that man last year, so it may be worth taking this with a pinch of salt. I’m not pushingthe boat out too much this year, with Jake Knapp being the man I really can’t look past being in the picture. DataGolf ranks him as world number 16 at the minute, and it really is hard to argue anything other than that. Knapp has had a tremendous start to the season, with a sensational 5 top 10s. He tweaked his back ahead of the Arnold Palmer and had to withdraw, which led to his only MC of the season so far. He is piping his driver, putting well and ultimately playing well. He made the cut on his Masters debut in 2024 and I think he will give it a much better shot on his second try. Knapp time? He’s definitely not one to sleep on. Great chance each-way.

Bryson DeChambeau – Best Price – 12/1

Matt Fitzpatrick – Best Price – 18/1

Jake Knapp – Best Price – 60/1 EW