AUGUSTA, Ga. — While Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, will be absent from the 89th Masters due to recovery from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, the tournament remains highly anticipated. The world`s best golfers are gathering at Augusta National Golf Club this week, creating numerous compelling storylines.
Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1 globally, aims to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to secure three green jackets within four years. Nicklaus achieved this feat in 1963, 1965, and 1966. Scheffler could also become only the fourth golfer in Masters history to win consecutively, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Woods (2001-02).
Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2 worldwide, enters the first major of the season with perhaps even stronger momentum than Scheffler. McIlroy 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, aiming to end a major championship drought spanning over a decade.
Beyond these top contenders, the tournament is rich with intrigue. For the first time in eight months, golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League will compete in the same event.
`This week is one we all value immensely,` stated Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion. `It marks the beginning of the major championship series, and every year, history is made here.`
Here’s an overview of the 96 players in the field, categorized from potential winners to those focused on making the cut.
Sections:
Top Favorites | Potential Winners | Dark Horses
Long Shots | Aiming to Make the Cut | Past Champions | Amateurs
Top Favorites
While a showdown between world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy is highly anticipated, other golfers like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are strong contenders. Here are the golfers with the highest probability of winning a green jacket this Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
Despite missing the season`s first month due to a right hand injury, the world No. 1 is regaining momentum. He finished tied for second at the Texas Children`s Houston Open, just one stroke behind Min Woo Lee. Scheffler excelled in putting and approach play. Still seeking his first win of the season, he remains a top pick, having won two of the last three Masters.
Rory McIlroy
For McIlroy, securing a green jacket and completing the career Grand Slam feels crucial now. He achieved two pre-April victories against strong fields and is currently playing some of his best golf. With Scheffler and Schauffele recovering from injuries, McIlroy might be the player to watch at Augusta National. He was refining his driver and managing a sore elbow in his last Houston appearance.
Collin Morikawa
As noted by Kyle Porter, a significant number of recent Masters champions showed strong tee-to-green performance in the months leading up to the tournament. Morikawa currently leads the tour in this statistic. While his last win was in October 2023, a victory seems imminent. He was in contention in the final round of the 2024 Masters, ultimately tying for third.
Jon Rahm
The 2023 Masters champion faced questions about his competitiveness in major championships after a relatively low finish in his title defense. However, a strong performance at The Open quelled these doubts. Rahm had a successful first season with LIV Golf and has consistently placed in the top 10 at Augusta National.
Ludvig Åberg
Åberg has quickly adapted to professional golf. In his Masters debut last year, he finished second. He contended for the win until a misstep on the 11th hole. Åberg secured a PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational in February but has shown inconsistency since.
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 sixth, marking his best Masters performance.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele claimed his first two major championships last year and has a strong Masters record with multiple top-10 finishes. Despite a recent injury, he appears to be regaining form.
Brooks Koepka
Koepka, a five-time major champion, is expected to be a factor at Augusta National, where he has a solid track record. He has openly discussed the mental challenges of wanting to win the Masters too much, which may have affected his past performance.
Potential Winners
Beyond the top favorites, these players are legitimate contenders with the skill and composure needed for Augusta`s demanding course.
Justin Thomas
Thomas recently came close to his first PGA Tour win in years, finishing second at the Valspar Championship. With multiple top-10 finishes this season, he is showing strong form. Despite past Masters struggles, he has the talent to contend.
Cameron Smith
Smith has maintained a relatively low profile recently, except for a strong showing at the 2024 Masters where he tied for sixth. He has consistently performed well at Augusta National.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 in 2024, tying for third. He has been consistent in tour events this season.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has been successful on the DP World Tour and had a good showing at the 2024 Masters. However, he has expressed frustration with certain aspects of Augusta National.
Jordan Spieth
Approaching the tenth anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth has shown signs of resurgence after wrist surgery. Despite some inconsistent Masters performances, he has a strong overall record at Augusta.
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.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion started the season strong but has faced challenges with his driving accuracy recently.
Russell Henley
Henley, a Georgia native, has had success at the Masters and recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Sepp Straka
Straka is improving his Masters record each year and has a PGA Tour win this season.
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 win at the Houston Open and has performed well in previous Masters.
Patrick Reed
Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, consistently performs well at Augusta National.
Justin Rose
Rose has been inconsistent this season but has a strong Masters history with multiple top finishes.
Daniel Berger
Berger is showing improved form after recovering from injury and has a past top-10 at the Masters.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley has improved his Masters results in recent years.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre is returning to the Masters after a good season and a high world ranking.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris is seeking a major breakthrough after injury and has a strong Masters record.
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 is making his Masters debut after a strong season.
Harris English
English has a PGA Tour win this season and is known for his putting.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard had a promising Masters debut last year.
Dark Horses
These are the sleeper picks who could win if everything aligns perfectly at Augusta. This group includes past champions, emerging talents, and players whose current form is a work in progress.
Wyndham Clark
Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, has had mixed results recently but has shown flashes of brilliance. He is making only his second Masters appearance.
Sungjae Im
Im has a history of strong and weak Masters performances, making him unpredictable.
Dustin Johnson
Johnson, the 2020 Masters champion, is looking to recapture his best form for another Masters run.
Lucas Glover
Glover is entering the Masters with good recent form, fitting Augusta`s course well.
Brian Harman
Harman, the 2023 Open Champion, recently found form again with a win at the Valero Texas Open.
J.J. Spaun
Spaun is playing some of his best golf and has achieved a high world ranking.
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia has multiple tour wins and strong recent performances, making him an exciting prospect.
Jason Day
Day is looking to improve his Masters record, with his last top finish several years ago.
Adam Scott
Scott, a past champion, aims to recapture his Masters magic.
Tony Finau
Finau has been struggling 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 is making his Masters debut.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, a U.S. Open winner, has a solid Masters record but has faced challenges recently.
Tom Kim
Kim has made a good start to his Masters career but has been inconsistent in 2025.
Corey Conners
Conners has a strong Masters record but his iron play has been less sharp recently.
Chris Kirk
Kirk has had decent Masters results but needs to improve his putting to contend.
Sam Burns
Burns has struggled at Augusta and in recent tournaments.
Michael Kim
Kim is making his first Masters appearance in several years after improving his world ranking.
Long Shots
These are the unlikely contenders. This tier includes past champions, players struggling with form, and those still learning to master Augusta National.
Davis Thompson
Thompson is playing better recently and making his Masters debut.
Cam Davis
Davis has shown potential but has been inconsistent 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 with a modest Masters record.
Billy Horschel
Horschel has a consistent Masters cut record.
Denny McCarthy
McCarthy`s performance depends heavily on his putting.
Taylor Pendrith
Pendrith is making his Masters debut after a season with several top finishes.
J.T. Poston
Poston has a steady but not standout Masters record.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson, a three-time champion, has shown he can still compete at Augusta, despite his age.
Nick Taylor
Taylor has struggled in majors recently despite a PGA Tour win this season.
Cameron Young
Young`s recent form has been poor despite past Masters successes.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia is making his 100th major start but has struggled at Augusta recently.
Danny Willett
Willett, an unexpected past champion, 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 is capable of turning his form around quickly.
Rasmus Højgaard
Højgaard is making his Masters debut.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bezuidenhout`s putting is a strength, but iron play needs improvement.
Stephan Jager
Jager is making his second Masters appearance.
Matthieu Pavon
Pavon had a decent Masters debut but has struggled this season.
Adam Schenk
Schenk had an unexpected good finish last year but recent form is poor.
Aiming to Make the Cut
These players are not expected to contend unless something extraordinary happens. For them, playing through the weekend at Augusta 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
Max Homa, despite past high rankings, has struggled recently. Several players in this tier are Masters debutants, while Riley is also new to the tournament and looking to improve his recent form.
Past Champions
These champions are participating due to their past victories, but their chances of contending for another major are slim.
Ángel Cabrera
Fred Couples
Zach Johnson
Bernhard Langer
José María Olazábal
Charl Schwartzel
Vijay Singh
Bubba Watson
Mike Weir
This Masters is expected to be Bernhard Langer`s final appearance. Fred Couples and Vijay Singh have made notable cuts in recent years, while Ángel Cabrera returns after a period of absence.
Amateurs
These are the amateur participants, talented players aiming to follow in the footsteps of past amateurs who made the cut at the Masters before turning professional.
Josele Ballester
Evan Beck
Justin Hastings
Noah Kent
Hiroshi Tai
These amateurs have earned their invitations through achievements like winning the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur, Latin American Amateur Championship, and NCAA Division I individual title. Hiroshi Tai will be the first golfer from Singapore to play in the Masters.
Adrian Whitmore