7 picks to win the 2026 Masters

It can only be that time of year when the golfing world collectively lathers themselves up into a frenzy at the mere thought of azaleas, green jackets and pimento cheese sandwiches.

There's an extraordinary amount said, written and imagined about the Masters Tournament each year, which serves as the perfect gateway into a new season following the misery of a lengthy winter.

Much of the discourse around the first major on the calendar has been prone to drift into saccharine platitudes that reflect the somewhat artificial reputation that this event and its organisers have cultivated for generations, but there is no doubt that Augusta National knows how to put on a show, and that's where the hype is undeniably justified.

12 months ago, it was finally Rory McIlroy's time, an exhilarating and dramatic spectacle that none of us shall forget in a hurry, but what of this time, how can you possibly follow that most recent act?

Perhaps the Northern Irishman - freed of the weighty burden of unfulfillment - will achieve that rare double by successfully defending his title. 

Scottie Scheffler feels like a modern day Jack Nicklaus in the making down Magnolia Lane, while Jon Rahm will be keen to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal as a multiple Masters champion.

Bryson DeChambeau - vanquished by McIlroy a year ago - is back for another bid for glory and rounds off this quartet of pre-tournament favourites.

Beyond those, however, who could challenge them at the summit of the leaderboard during what is set to be a Masters defined by glorious weather?

Here are some names to keep a watchful eye on.

Xander Schauffele

Following his double major triumphs in 2024, last season wasn't anywhere near to the same standard, but absence to nurse a rib injury was a mitigating factor. 

The American is now looking somewhere close to his best after strong finishes at both the Valspar and Players Championship, where he finished just two shots back of winner Cameron Young.

Finishing inside the top ten in five of his previous eight appearances here, Schauffele has an affinity with Augusta National.

Ludvig Aberg

It's often said that a rookie can't win the Masters. But it was only a Scheffler masterclass that denied the Swede a victory in his very first major championship appearance in 2024. 

Returning last time, the Ryder Cup star was in contention once again, but he dropped four shots on the final two holes to finish five back of the lead.

While there may be some doubts about how clinical he is when given a winning chance, Aberg is sure to feature on the leaderboard this week.

Matt Fitzpatrick

The Englishman has played remarkably well since the spring of last year, reeling off top ten finishes for fun, including victories at the DP World Tour Championship and the Valspar, his most recent start last month, which came a week after a near-miss at TPC Sawgrass.

His record at Augusta National is solid, if not glowingly spectacular, but a firm course should favour the man from Sheffield this week, and a potential second major title must not be ruled out for the former US Open winner.

Justin Rose

If you could just hand someone a green jacket, it would be Justin Rose, right? The 45-year-old was an unfortunate runner-up to McIlroy 12 months ago, his third second place finish at Augusta and second playoff defeat. 

He's a perennial presence on the leaderboards here going back two decades. When Rose first competed in the Masters, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were still playing.

Maybe it's too good to be true to imagine that Rose will finally have his moment here, but why can't we dream once more?

Patrick Reed

Lost in the excitement last year was that Patrick Reed threatened to secure a second Masters title and finished third. Since winning in 2018, the American, who was a college golfer in the state of Georgia, has also been fourth (in 2023) and posted a pair of other top ten finishes.

Twice a winner on the DP World Tour earlier this year, the ex-LIV star promises to be a force to be reckoned with this week.

Robert MacIntyre

The Scot didn't win in Texas on Sunday - denied like he was at June's US Open by J.J. Spaun - but he is fully prepared for his fourth Masters appearance and has shown encouraging form of late - highlighted by a fourth place finish at TPC Sawgrass.

Missing the cut 12 months ago wasn't expected, but earlier placings of T-12th and T-23rd demonstrated that the man from Oban has potential here.

But more than anything he has the validation of knowing that he can win a major championship - having come so close at Oakmont - and that could carry the left-hander far this week.

Chris Gotterup

What was it we said about debutants not winning at Augusta National? It's been 47 years since the late Fuzzy Zoeller accomplished that feat, but Chris Gotterup has the tools to be a spiritual successor in that regard.

Winner of three PGA Tour events since July, including two in 2026, the 26-year-old, who was raised in New Jersey, looked fearless when he challenged for the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush.

It's unknown just how he will handle the experience of making his debut at the Masters, but if someone can upend the historicial norm, it may well be the powerful American.