AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods, a fifteen-time major champion, will not participate in the 89th Masters as he recovers from a ruptured left Achilles tendon. However, 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 golfers to secure three green jackets within four years. Achieving this would also make him only the fourth player in Masters history to win in consecutive years, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods.
Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2, may be in even better form than Scheffler as he enters the season`s first major. 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 end a major championship drought spanning over a decade.
Beyond these top contenders, the week at Augusta National is filled with intriguing storylines. For the first time in eight months, the best golfers from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League will compete in the same tournament field.
`[It`s] a week that we all cherish the most,` commented Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner. `It signifies the beginning of the major championship series, and history is consistently made there.`
Here’s an overview of the 96 golfers in the competition, categorized from potential winners to those focused on making the cut.
Section Navigation:
The Clear Favorites | Potential Winners | Long Shots for Victory
Miracles Can Happen | Aiming to Make the Cut | Past Champions | Amateurs
Tier I: The Clear Favorites
While a showdown between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy would be dramatic, golfers like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are also strong contenders for a Sunday victory. These golfers are considered to have the highest likelihood of winning a green jacket this Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
After missing the season`s first month due to a right hand injury, the world No. 1 golfer is regaining momentum. He finished tied for second at the Texas Children`s Houston Open, just one stroke behind Min Woo Lee. Scheffler excels in putting and approach shots, making him a top pick despite seeking his first victory of the season. He has already won two of the last three Masters tournaments.
Rory McIlroy
It`s a critical moment for McIlroy to capture the elusive green jacket and complete his career Grand Slam. With two pre-April victories against strong fields, he is playing exceptional golf. As Scheffler and Schauffele recover from injuries, McIlroy might be the favorite at Augusta National. He is fine-tuning his driver and managing a sore elbow from his last Houston appearance.
Collin Morikawa
Statistics indicate that recent Masters champions typically excel in tee-to-green performance leading up to the tournament. Morikawa currently leads in this statistic, as well as in approach play. Despite not winning since October 2023, a victory seems imminent. He was in contention in the final round of the 2024 Masters, ultimately finishing tied for third.
Jon Rahm
The 2023 Masters champion faced questions about his competitiveness in major championships after a title defense where he tied for 45th. However, a strong showing at The Open quelled these concerns. Rahm has achieved multiple victories in LIV Golf and has consistently finished 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, just behind Scheffler. He contended for a historic first-time Masters win until a water hazard on No. 11 shifted the momentum to Scheffler. Åberg recently secured his second PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational, though his recent approach and putting statistics are less impressive.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau seems to have overcome past criticisms regarding his views on Augusta National. He led after the first round last year but then struggled, eventually tying for sixth, his best Masters finish to date.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele, a recent major champion, has a strong Masters record with multiple top-10 finishes. Recovering from an injury, he is regaining form and showed strong approach play in his last tournament.
Brooks Koepka
As a major champion, Koepka is expected to be a contender at Augusta National, where he has a solid track record, including two runner-up finishes. He has openly discussed the mental challenges of wanting to win the Masters too intensely.
Tier II: Potential Winners
Beyond the top favorites, these are the golfers with a real chance to win. They possess the skill, resilience, and composure needed for the intense competition at Augusta National.
Justin Thomas
Thomas recently came close to his first PGA Tour victory in years, finishing second at the Valspar Championship. With a strong season and all the necessary shots, he aims to contend at the Masters despite past missed cuts.
Cameron Smith
Smith has maintained a low profile recently but had a notable top-10 finish at the 2024 Masters. He has a history of strong performances at Augusta National.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 in 2024 and has been consistent in tour events this season, indicating potential for another strong showing.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has been performing well on the DP World Tour and had a good finish at the 2024 Masters, suggesting he might overcome his past challenges at Augusta National.
Jordan Spieth
Approaching the anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth shows signs of resurgence after wrist surgery. Despite some inconsistencies at Augusta, his overall record there is strong.
Joaquín Niemann
Niemann, a global winner, seeks his first major top-10 finish. His recent performances at Augusta National suggest he is getting closer to contention.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion started the season strong but has faced challenges with his driving accuracy recently. His past success at Augusta makes him a threat.
Russell Henley
Henley, a Georgia native, recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has performed well at the Masters before, making him a contender.
Sepp Straka
Straka, a tour winner with an underrated swing, has been progressively improving his Masters finishes, indicating potential for a breakthrough.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland recently won the Valspar Championship unexpectedly, raising questions if this marks a return to form for major contention.
Min Woo Lee
Lee recently claimed his first PGA Tour win at the Houston Open. With prior top-25 Masters finishes, he could be a dark horse.
Patrick Reed
Reed, a past Masters champion, consistently performs well at Augusta National, making him a perennial contender.
Justin Rose
Rose, a two-time Masters runner-up, has had an inconsistent season but is capable of performing well at Augusta, given his history.
Daniel Berger
Berger is showing strong form after recovering from injury, with consistent top finishes leading up to the Masters. His debut Masters performance was strong.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley, known as `Captain America`, has improved his Masters results recently and could be in contention.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre returns to the Masters with improved world ranking and recent tour wins, making him a contender.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris, despite putting challenges, has a strong Masters record with consecutive top-10s, making him a potential winner if his putting improves.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has been consistent in majors, including the Masters, suggesting he could contend this year.
Shane Lowry
Lowry has been in contention in several tournaments this season and has a past top-3 finish at Augusta, making him a possible winner.
Maverick McNealy
McNealy`s strong season has elevated his world ranking, making his Masters debut one to watch.
Harris English
English, a Georgia native, has a recent PGA Tour win and strong putting skills, which could serve him well at Augusta.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard showed promise in his Masters debut last year and could build on that experience to contend this year.
Tier III: Long Shots for Victory
These are the underdogs who could win if everything aligns perfectly. They include 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 inconsistent form but recent top finishes suggest he could surprise at Augusta, despite a past missed cut here.
Sungjae Im
Im has a mixed Masters record but with high finishes in some years, indicating potential for a strong performance if he finds consistency.
Dustin Johnson
Johnson, a past Masters champion, has shown signs of resurgence recently, raising hopes for another green jacket run, despite less impressive major results recently.
Lucas Glover
Glover, known for accuracy, is entering the Masters with strong recent finishes, fitting the profile for success at Augusta.
Brian Harman
Harman, the 2023 Open champion, recently found form with a win, improving his chances after past Masters struggles.
J.J. Spaun
Spaun is in career-best form, climbing in world rankings, and has shown capability to contend in big events.
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia, a young talent with two tour wins, has strong overall stats and could make a significant impact at his first Masters.
Jason Day
Day, with a past top-5 Masters finish, seeks to rediscover his Augusta form after a few quieter years.
Adam Scott
Scott, a past champion, looks to recapture his winning magic from a decade ago at Augusta.
Tony Finau
Finau has been struggling recently but has the talent to turn things around quickly for a Masters surprise.
Sahith Theegala
Theegala had a strong Masters debut and aims to improve on that, despite inconsistent form this season.
Thomas Detry
Detry, with consistent major finishes, makes his Masters debut as a dark horse contender.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, a U.S. Open winner, has a solid Masters record and seeks to improve his current world ranking with a strong performance.
Tom Kim
Kim, a rising star, has shown flashes of brilliance and seeks consistency to contend at Augusta.
Corey Conners
Conners has a strong Masters track record and could contend again if his iron play sharpens.
Chris Kirk
Kirk has been consistent at Augusta recently and needs to improve his putting to climb higher.
Sam Burns
Burns has been inconsistent at Augusta and needs to overcome recent form to make an impact.
Michael Kim
Kim makes his return to the Masters after improving his world ranking, hoping for a better result than his debut.
Tier IV: Miracles Can Happen
These are the long shots where an unexpected win would be a major surprise. This group includes past champions and players trying to rediscover their top form.
Davis Thompson
Thompson, a Georgia native, is playing better recently and makes his Masters debut, hoping for a memorable first appearance.
Cam Davis
Davis showed promise at last year`s Masters but needs to overcome recent form issues to contend.
Aaron Rai
Rai, known for iron play, makes his Masters debut with a chance to surprise if his game clicks at Augusta.
Tom Hoge
Hoge, another strong iron player, comes off a good finish and hopes to improve his Masters record.
Billy Horschel
Horschel, with consistent Masters cuts, seeks to capitalize on his TGL Cup win momentum.
Denny McCarthy
McCarthy`s putting could be a game-changer if it gets hot, potentially leading to a surprise leaderboard position.
Taylor Pendrith
Pendrith makes his Masters debut after a season with multiple top-10s, hoping to continue his strong play.
J.T. Poston
Poston has been steady and seeks to make a bigger impact at Augusta after making recent cuts.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson, a three-time champion, can still surprise, especially after his strong performance a couple of years ago.
Nick Taylor
Taylor, a recent tour winner, needs to improve his major record to contend at the Masters.
Cameron Young
Young has shown Masters potential but needs to overcome current form struggles.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia, in his 100th major start, seeks to recapture his 2017 Masters winning form.
Danny Willett
Willett, a past champion, could surprise again, though it would be unexpected.
Laurie Canter
Canter makes his Masters debut as a long shot, needing a miraculous performance to contend.
Byeong Hun An
An has had a good Masters finish before and could surprise again if conditions favor his game.
Nick Dunlap
Dunlap, despite recent struggles, has the talent to turn things around for a surprising Masters showing.
Rasmus Højgaard
Højgaard makes his Masters debut, looking to make a name for himself on the big stage.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bezuidenhout`s putting could be his key to outperforming expectations, despite recent form.
Stephan Jager
Jager, in his second Masters, hopes to improve on his debut performance and surprise.
Matthieu Pavon
Pavon, after a decent Masters debut, needs to overcome current struggles for a better result.
Adam Schenk
Schenk, who surprised last year, seeks to repeat or better his performance, despite recent form dips.
Tier V: Aiming to Make the Cut
These players are not expected to contend for the win unless something extraordinary happens. For them, playing through the weekend at Augusta National is 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
Many fans will support Homa, who performed well at Augusta last year. Despite past world ranking, he has faced recent challenges. Several players in this tier are Masters first-timers who have won tournaments recently but face Augusta National`s historical difficulty for debutants. Riley also plays his first Masters, aiming to overcome a rough start to the season.
Tier VI: Past Champions
These legends compete due to their Masters victories, granting them a lifetime invitation, though their prime competitive days for majors are likely past.
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, marking his 41st tournament. Fred Couples and Vijay Singh continue to set age records at the Masters. Ángel Cabrera returns after a hiatus, marking his first appearance since 2019.
Tier VII: Amateurs
These are the young, talented amateur players, new to the Masters, aiming to follow in the footsteps of past amateurs who made the cut before turning professional.
Josele Ballester
Evan Beck
Justin Hastings
Noah Kent
Hiroshi Tai
Josele Ballester, a top-ranked amateur, leads this group. Evan Beck qualified through the U.S. Mid-Amateur. Justin Hastings represents the Latin American Amateur Championship. Hiroshi Tai is the first Singaporean to compete in the Masters. Noah Kent was a U.S. Amateur runner-up.
