6 outsiders to watch at the 2026 Masters

Among the numerous qualities that make the Masters Tournament distinctive from the other major championships is the limited size of its field. 

While 156 players is the standard elsewhere, there are just 91 golfers competing in the 90th edition of Augusta National's springtime showpiece.

Eligibility for a treasured invite is strict - but that exclusiveness also significantly reduces the number of potential winners. Once you logically exclude the handful of aging past champions and the hopeful cohort of amateurs, the spread of contenders narrows further.

It's why there never really is a shock outsider who triumphs here in the manner of a Ben Curtis or Shaun Micheel. The leaderboard - much like the immaculately presented fairways - is artificially manufactured to essentially guarantee the presence of top names in the mix on Sunday.

However, that doesn't mean there can't be a surprise of sorts. Few would have considered the likes of Larry Mize, Trevor Immelman or Charl Schwartzel as being potential champions. And who really saw Ben Crenshaw and Jack Nicklaus turning back the clock well into their 40s?

Following these previously shared seven top picks to win, here are some under the radar prospects who may well swoop down Magnolia Lane and challenge the favourites on Masters Sunday.

Cam Smith

Just a few years ago, the Australian would have been ranked among the likeliest to slip inside the green jacket. Former runner-up in the Masters, a Players champion, and winner of the 150th Open at St Andrews, the 32-year-old has quite an eye-catching CV.

That said, it's been dramatically diminished since his move to LIV Golf. Smith has missed the cut in each of his last five major appearances and has dealt with suggestions that he longer has the motivation to compete at the highest level.

It would be a riposte to that critique if he was to add to his five previous top ten finishes at Augusta. 

Jason Day

It was 15 years ago when Smith's compatriot, Jason Day, finished runner-up on his debut in the Masters. The former world number one has enjoyed several other strong finishes since then, including a tie for eighth place 12 months ago.

More attention these days is placed on the style (or otherwise) of his clothing, but there remains a solid competitor within the 38-year-old, as evidenced by a second-place in January's American Express and a tie for sixth last week at the Texas Open.

Sungjae Im

One of the hardest workers in the game, the South Korean was runner-up behind Dustin Johnson during the surreal lockdown Masters of November 2020, but he also finished in a tie for eighth place in 2022, and was in fifth last year, demonstrating that his game favours nicely at Augusta National.

Towards the end of 2025, the 28-year-old completed three weeks of basic training as part of national service in his homeland but then suffered a wrist injury that kept him out until March. 

However, contending at the Valspar Championship was an illustration that he's returning to form once more.

Corey Conners

The Canadian is such a good iron player, a key to success at Augusta, that it feels inevitable that he will someday truly challenge for the green jacket. 

He's not been far away before, it must be said, as the 34-year-old has four top ten finishes in eight previous appearances, and his results have been solidly building of late.

Definitely the sort of player you can see being in the mix after 36 holes.

Adam Scott

Former champions would always back themselves to have another shot at glory. But since becoming the first Aussie to triumph here, Adam Scott's best result is a tie for ninth back in 2017.

12 months ago was his first missed cut since 2009, demonstrating that the 45-year-old is generally competitive at Augusta, but could he take another step forward and feature prominently on those iconic white leaderboards once again?

A fourth-place finish at Riviera in February was a sign that there is still life yet in the former world number one.

Maverick McNealy

It's been a fairly quiet season for the 30-year-old, but the American is a solidly consistent performer across each of the main stat categories and undeniably has the potential to contend in a major championship.

Making his tournament debut 12 months ago, McNealy finished in a respectable tie for 32nd and will be expecting to improve upon that with his sophomore appearance at Augusta National.