AUGUSTA, Ga. — While Tiger Woods will miss the 89th Masters due to an Achilles injury, the tournament remains highly anticipated as top golfers gather at Augusta National Golf Club.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler aims to join golf legends like Jack Nicklaus in winning three green jackets within four years and seeks to be the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy enters with strong momentum, seeking to complete a career Grand Slam at his 11th attempt and end a decade-long major drought.
Adding to the excitement, the Masters marks a rare occasion where golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League compete in the same tournament for the first time in eight months.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson emphasized the tournament`s prestige, highlighting it as the major championship series` start and a place where history is consistently made.
Here`s an overview of the 96-player field, categorizing them from potential winners to those aiming to make the cut.
Tier I: The Clear Favorites
While a Scheffler-McIlroy duel is anticipated, other golfers such as Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are strong contenders. These are the golfers with the highest chances of winning.
Scottie Scheffler
Despite a hand injury earlier in the season, Scheffler is regaining form. He recently finished second at the Texas Children`s Houston Open. With two Masters wins in the last three years, he`s a top pick.
Rory McIlroy
This Masters may be crucial for McIlroy to achieve a career Grand Slam. With two pre-April victories and strong current form, he could be the one to beat at Augusta. He was refining his driver and managing an elbow issue in Houston.
Collin Morikawa
Morikawa leads in strokes gained from tee to green, a key statistic for Masters champions. Although without a win since October 2023, he appears ready to break this streak, having contended at the 2024 Masters.
Jon Rahm
The 2023 Masters champion, Rahm, aims to prove LIV Golf players can still contend in majors. With strong LIV Golf performances and a history of top-10 finishes at Augusta, he remains a threat.
Ludvig Åberg
Åberg impressed with a second-place finish in his Masters debut in 2024. Despite recent inconsistencies, his early season PGA Tour victory indicates his potential to contend.
Bryson DeChambeau
After a strong first round in 2024, DeChambeau aims for a more consistent performance. His tie for sixth last year was his best Masters finish.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele, with strong Masters history, seeks his first major victory of the year. Despite a recent injury, his Valspar Championship performance suggests he`s regaining form.
Brooks Koepka
A five-time major winner, Koepka is always a contender. With past top-10s at Augusta, he looks to convert his experience into a Masters victory after previously leading and faltering.
Tier II: The Guys Who Can Win
These contenders possess the talent and composure needed to compete at Augusta.
Justin Thomas
Thomas is showing improved form, with a recent second-place finish at the Valspar Championship. Despite past Masters struggles, he has the game to contend.
Cameron Smith
Smith, a LIV Golf captain, has a strong Masters record, including a tie for sixth in 2024 and multiple top-10 finishes at Augusta.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 in 2024, tying for third. Consistent early-season form suggests he could build on this success.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has been in excellent form on the DP World Tour and had a top-10 finish at the 2024 Masters, indicating he might overcome past Augusta challenges.
Jordan Spieth
Approaching the 10th anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth shows signs of resurgence after wrist surgery, making him a potential contender.
Joaquín Niemann
Niemann, a proven winner globally, seeks his first major top-10 finish. Recent performances at Augusta and LIV Golf wins suggest he`s ready to break through.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion started the year strong with a PGA Tour victory. Despite driving inconsistencies, his past Augusta success makes him a threat.
Russell Henley
Henley, a Georgia native, recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has a past Masters top-5 finish, positioning him as a contender.
Sepp Straka
Straka, with a win at the American Express, has steadily improved his Masters results and could surprise this year.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland`s Valspar Championship win raises questions of whether it marks a return to form or a temporary peak, making him an intriguing contender.
Min Woo Lee
Lee recently secured his first PGA Tour win at the Houston Open and has performed well in previous Masters appearances, suggesting potential for a strong showing.
Patrick Reed
The 2018 Masters champion consistently performs well at Augusta and could leverage his experience to contend again.
Justin Rose
A two-time Masters runner-up, Rose, despite inconsistent recent form, has a strong Augusta track record and could find his stride this week.
Daniel Berger
Berger is returning to form after injury, with consistent top finishes, and looks to improve upon his past Masters performances.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley aims to build on recent top-25 Masters finishes and bring his Ryder Cup captaincy momentum to Augusta.
Robert MacIntyre
Returning to the Masters after a strong 2023, MacIntyre`s world ranking and recent form make him a contender to watch.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris seeks a breakthrough after injury, with a strong Masters record including three top-10s, though putting remains a key challenge.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has consistent Masters and major finishes, making him a reliable contender if his game aligns this week.
Shane Lowry
Lowry has been consistent this season with several high finishes and a past Masters top-3, indicating potential for another strong performance.
Maverick McNealy
McNealy`s strong season earns him his Masters debut, and his current form suggests he could be a dark horse.
Harris English
English, a Georgia native and recent PGA Tour winner, relies on his strong putting to overcome less consistent iron play at Augusta.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard impressed in his Masters debut last year and looks to improve on that performance with more consistent play.
Tier III: If Everything Goes Right
These are sleeper picks who could win if they peak at Augusta.
Wyndham Clark
Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, has shown flashes of brilliance and aims to improve on his first Masters appearance.
Sungjae Im
Im has a mixed Masters record with high finishes and missed cuts, making him a volatile but potentially high-performing contender.
Dustin Johnson
The 2020 Masters champion seeks to recapture his form and contend again at Augusta, despite recent inconsistent play.
Lucas Glover
Glover`s recent strong finishes and fairway accuracy could position him for a surprise Masters run.
Brian Harman
Harman, the 2023 Open champion, recently won the Valero Texas Open, suggesting he might overcome past Masters struggles.
J.J. Spaun
Spaun`s strong recent form, including a runner-up at the Cognizant Classic, makes him a dark horse at Augusta.
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia, a young talent with two tour wins, has the potential for a high finish in his Masters debut.
Jason Day
Day looks to rediscover his past Masters form and contend, despite recent less impressive performances at Augusta.
Adam Scott
Scott, the 2013 champion, hopes to leverage his Augusta experience for another top finish.
Tony Finau
Finau seeks to overcome recent struggles, particularly with iron play, to contend at Augusta.
Sahith Theegala
Theegala had a strong Masters debut in 2023 and aims to recapture that form after a less consistent season.
Thomas Detry
Detry, with strong major finishes, makes his Masters debut and could be a surprise contender.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open winner, has a solid Masters record and looks to improve on recent performances.
Tom Kim
Kim has made cuts in his first two Masters and aims for a higher finish, though consistency is needed.
Corey Conners
Conners has a strong Masters track record and looks to regain his best iron play for this year`s tournament.
Chris Kirk
Kirk has recent top-25 Masters finishes and needs to improve his putting to contend for a higher position.
Sam Burns
Burns seeks to improve his Masters record and overcome recent inconsistent form to make an impact.
Michael Kim
Kim returns to the Masters after a gap, looking to capitalize on his improved world ranking.
Tier IV: Hey, Miracles Happen
These are long shots who could surprise at the Masters.
Davis Thompson
Thompson, a Georgia native, makes his Masters debut with recent improved form, offering potential for a surprise.
Cam Davis
Davis showed promise at last year`s Masters and aims to overcome recent form dips to contend again.
Aaron Rai
Rai, making his Masters debut, is known for strong iron play, which could be an asset at Augusta.
Tom Hoge
Hoge, another strong iron player, seeks to improve on his past Masters performance and make a surprise run.
Billy Horschel
Horschel, with recent team success, looks to translate that to individual success at Augusta.
Denny McCarthy
McCarthy`s putting prowess could make him a surprise contender if he gets hot on the greens.
Taylor Pendrith
Pendrith, in his Masters debut, has shown strong form this season, making him a potential surprise.
J.T. Poston
Poston has made recent Masters cuts and aims to build on that for a higher finish.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson, a three-time champion, has the experience and past surprise performances to potentially contend again.
Nick Taylor
Taylor, a recent PGA Tour winner, seeks to overcome poor major form and surprise at Augusta.
Cameron Young
Young has past Masters top-10s and aims to overcome recent struggles to rediscover his Augusta form.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia, in his 100th major start, relies on his Masters history, though recent Augusta form is inconsistent.
Danny Willett
Willett, a past champion, hopes for another unlikely Masters victory.
Laurie Canter
Canter makes his Masters debut, aiming to make a mark after qualifying through world rankings.
Byeong Hun An
An has a past Masters top-20 finish and looks to improve on that performance.
Nick Dunlap
Dunlap, a young talent, aims to turn around recent form and perform well in his Masters debut as a pro.
Rasmus Højgaard
Højgaard, in his Masters debut, seeks to emulate his brother`s past Augusta success.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bezuidenhout`s putting could be his strength at Augusta, though iron play needs improvement.
Stephan Jager
Jager aims to improve on his Masters debut performance from last year.
Matthieu Pavon
Pavon had a decent Masters debut and seeks to overcome a less consistent current season.
Adam Schenk
Schenk had a surprise top finish last year and hopes to recapture that form despite recent struggles.
Tier V: Happy to Make the Cut
These golfers are less likely to contend but aim to play through the weekend at Augusta.
- 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
Several in this tier are Masters debutants, which historically presents challenges. Others like Homa seek to regain form at Augusta.
Tier VI: Past Champions
These past champions are celebrated participants, though their competitive peak for major wins may be past.
- Ángel Cabrera
- Fred Couples
- Zach Johnson
- Bernhard Langer
- José María Olazábal
- Charl Schwartzel
- Vijay Singh
- Bubba Watson
- Mike Weir
Langer`s participation is notable as potentially his last Masters. Couples and Singh continue to set age-related records at Augusta. Cabrera returns after a period away from the tournament.
Tier VII: Amateurs
These amateurs are talented and fortunate to compete, aiming to follow past amateurs who made the cut at the Masters.
- Josele Ballester
- Evan Beck
- Justin Hastings
- Noah Kent
- Hiroshi Tai
Ballester, Kent, Beck, Hastings, and Tai represent the next generation of golf talent, with notable amateur achievements leading to their Masters invitations.
