The Masters Tournament, the first major golf event of the year, will take place from Thursday to Sunday at Augusta National in Georgia.
Scottie Scheffler, the current champion, is favored to win again (+475), with Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Jon Rahm also considered top contenders.
Golf analysts share their expert opinions on who is likely to emerge victorious, and betting specialists offer insights on valuable betting opportunities for the 2025 Masters.
Expert Golf Picks
Matt Barrie predicts Rory McIlroy will win, believing “it’s his time.”
Tory Barron is betting on Brooks Koepka. Despite a less impressive performance at Augusta last year, Barron highlights Koepka`s strong major championship record, noting his five major titles and consistent top-10 finishes at the Masters. Barron believes Koepka performs best when underestimated and could secure a green jacket, marking a significant return to the PGA Tour.
Jeff Darlington`s pick is Justin Thomas, citing Thomas`s regained form with recent top-10 finishes and an impressive round at the Players Championship. Darlington suggests the timing is perfect for Thomas to win a major.
Michael Eaves also favors Rory McIlroy, emphasizing McIlroy`s exceptional current form and statistical backing. Eaves points out McIlroy`s victories at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, making him the only player with multiple PGA Tour wins this year. Eaves notes a trend where the player with the most wins leading up to the Masters has won the green jacket for the past three years, suggesting this could be McIlroy`s year to complete the career Grand Slam.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell is picking Scottie Scheffler. While acknowledging Scheffler`s season start isn`t as dominant as usual, Lawrence-Riddell notes his consistent top-10 finishes and believes it`s only a matter of time before Scheffler wins again, especially at a course where he has previously been successful.
Andy North is going with Collin Morikawa, highlighting Morikawa`s consistent Masters record with finishes of T3, T10, and 5th in his last three appearances. North also notes Morikawa`s strong recent play and excellent iron game.
Laura Rutledge also predicts a win for McIlroy, citing his excellent season and improved mental game, believing he is ready to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam.
Mark Schlabach believes Rory McIlroy will finally win the Masters in his 11th attempt, joining the select group to achieve a career Grand Slam. Schlabach emphasizes McIlroy`s current form, including wins at the DP World Tour Championship, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Players Championship. He highlights McIlroy`s strong driving, iron play, and putting, predicting he will overcome past challenges at Augusta to secure the victory.
Marty Smith also picks McIlroy, stating it could be argued McIlroy is playing the best golf of his career. Smith quotes McIlroy`s confidence in his all-around game and relaxed mindset entering the Masters, suggesting this is his year to win the green jacket and achieve the career Grand Slam.
Curtis Strange predicts a playoff between McIlroy and Scheffler, stating “After that, we all win.”
Paolo Uggetti is choosing Will Zalatoris, noting Zalatoris`s impressive early Masters record, with his worst finish being a tie for ninth in three starts, including a second-place finish in 2021. Uggetti believes Zalatoris, now healthy after a back injury, has the game to win at Augusta.
Scott Van Pelt is picking McIlroy, citing a combination of form, preparation, and timing, believing “Sometimes it`s just a man`s time. I believe this is his.”
David Wilson is predicting Bryson DeChambeau, recalling DeChambeau`s low first round at last year`s Masters and his subsequent major win at the U.S. Open. Wilson suggests DeChambeau has matured and learned enough at Augusta to win.
Betting Roundtable
Who is your pick to win?
David Gordon, ESPN Research
Winner: Collin Morikawa (+1400)
Gordon believes Morikawa`s current form and past success at Augusta make him a strong pick, similar to Jon Rahm`s win in 2023. Gordon highlights Morikawa`s PGA Tour leading strokes gained: approach and fairway accuracy at Augusta, along with consistent top-15 finishes in past Masters rounds.
Tyler Fulghum, ESPN BET Live host
Winner: Rory McIlroy (+600)
Fulghum believes “It`s time” for McIlroy to win the Masters after a decade of chasing the green jacket. He notes McIlroy`s two wins in 2025 and suggests waiting for Round 1 or 2 to potentially get better odds before a weekend surge. Fulghum is confident McIlroy is ready to win.
Who is your favorite bet to make the Top 10?
Gordon: Sepp Straka (+525)
Gordon highlights Straka`s strong season stats, ranking in the Top 10 for both fairways hit and greens in regulation on the PGA Tour. He notes Straka`s win this season and top-10 finishes in signature events, along with his improving Masters experience.
Fulghum: Sergio Garcia (+600)
Fulghum is picking the 2017 Masters champion, Sergio Garcia, based on his current form on the LIV Tour, including three top-six finishes and a win. He cites Garcia`s strong tee-to-green performance in recent events.
Maldonado: Corey Conners (+800)
Maldonado chooses Corey Conners, pointing to his peak form with strong tee-to-green play and improved putting. She notes Conners`s good Augusta history with three straight top-10s and believes the predicted rain will favor ball strikers like Conners.
Marks: Russell Henley (+380)
Marks selects Russell Henley, highlighting his previous T4 finish at Augusta in 2023 and consistent top-15 finishes. She notes Henley`s strong year, including a win at Bay Hill, and believes his current game is flawless.
What is your favorite Scottie Scheffler bet?
Fulghum: Top American golfer (+270)
Fulghum finds value in betting Scheffler as the top American golfer due to his high win probability and the elimination of non-American contenders. He suggests this offers better odds than betting Scheffler to win outright.
Gordon: To finish the first round Inside the top 10 (+162)
Gordon agrees it`s hard to find good Scheffler bets but suggests betting on him to finish the first round inside the top 10. He notes Scheffler`s strong Masters record in opening rounds and consistent performance.
Maldonado: To finish the first round Inside the top 10 (+162)
Maldonado also likes the bet on Scheffler to finish the first round inside the top 10. She emphasizes Scheffler`s exceptional ball-striking and consistent tee-to-green game, making him likely to contend even with an inconsistent putter, especially with predicted soft greens.
Who are your favorite long shots/value bets (let`s say 50-1 or longer)
Gordon: Cameron Young (+17500)
Gordon picks Cameron Young as a long shot, hoping the Masters will spark a turnaround despite his poor season start. He notes Young`s previous Masters odds and potential to quickly improve.
Fulghum: Phil Mickelson (+10000)
Fulghum is willing to bet on Phil Mickelson due to his extensive Augusta experience and past success, including a T2 finish two years ago. He believes Mickelson`s odds underestimate his true probability of winning.
Maldonado: Robert MacIntyre (+5500)
Maldonado selects Robert MacIntyre as a value bet, citing his trending form and solid Augusta record with two Top 25 finishes. She notes his improving ball-striking and confidence, suggesting he suits the course well.
Are there any other bets that stand out to you?
Gordon: Russell Henley over Patrick Cantlay (Full tournament matchup: +100)
Gordon favors Russell Henley in a matchup bet against Patrick Cantlay, citing Henley`s strong season and consistent Masters performances compared to Cantlay`s less impressive Augusta record.
Fulghum: Max Homa to miss the cut (-115)
Fulghum is betting on Max Homa to miss the cut, citing Homa`s current lack of confidence and recent poor performances, including missed cuts in several events.
Maldonado: Tyrell Hatton to make the cut: No (+240)
Maldonado is betting on Tyrell Hatton to miss the cut, believing Augusta`s demand for patience doesn`t suit Hatton`s fiery and reactive playing style. She notes Hatton`s recent struggles off the tee and inconsistent short game, predicting potential “fireworks – the wrong kind.”
Marks: Top American golfer — Collin Morikawa (+800)
Marks picks Collin Morikawa as the top American golfer, reiterating Morikawa`s strong tee-to-green game, consistent top-10 Masters finishes, and course knowledge, believing he has the potential to win a green jacket.
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore