Brian Harman captured the Valero Texas Open last week, earning his fourth career PGA TOUR victory and his first win of the 2025 season. It marked his first triumph since the 2023 Open Championship. But this win carried more emotional weight than most.

Harman was playing with a heavy heart, as a close family friend, Cathy Dowdy, remains in a coma after heroically saving Harman’s 6-year-old son from a rip current during a family vacation in Ponte Vedra Beach last October. “Just playing with a heavy heart today. Ms. Cathy, she’s not doing so good,” Harman said. “Just thinking about her all day.”

Our selection, Ryan Gerard (75-1), finished solo second — falling just short of giving us back-to-back outright winners after Min Woo Lee (35-1) cashed the week before at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

Hello Friends, and welcome to the best week of the year, The Masters. Before we’ve even teed off, the storylines have already started.

Pre-Tournament Storylines:

Scottie Scheffler: Aiming for Back-to-Back Masters Glory

Scottie Scheffler has his sights set on a rare piece of Masters history—becoming just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back titles at Augusta National. The last to accomplish the feat was Tiger Woods in 2002 and 2003. Before him, only Jack Nicklaus (1965–66) and Nick Faldo (1989–90) managed to successfully defend their green jacket. Now, Scheffler looks to join that elite trio with a win this week.

Heading into the 2024 Masters, Scheffler was in unstoppable form, with two wins already under his belt (THE PLAYERS Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational) and four top 10 finishes. After capturing his first Masters title in 2024, Scheffler went on to win six more times, finishing the year with an impressive total of nine PGA Tour victories.

However, his 2025 season has been anything but conventional. A finger injury sustained while cooking Christmas dinner delayed his start to the year, and he missed several early events. Scheffler made his season debut in February at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and since then, he’s been in excellent form, never finishing worse than T25 in his six starts. Along the way, he secured three top-10 finishes, including a T3 at the Genesis Invitational and his best result of the year—a T2 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

With five Masters appearances to his name, Scheffler has claimed two victories (2022, 2024) and has never finished outside the top 20, solidifying his status as the deserving favorite heading into this week.

Rory McIlroy: Chasing the Elusive Career Grand Slam

Rory McIlroy is gearing up for his seventeenth trip to Augusta National, with his eyes set on achieving the elusive career Grand Slam. Despite coming close multiple times, he has yet to slip into the coveted green jacket. His best Masters finish came three years ago when he finished second, just three shots behind Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy’s last Major Championship victory was in 2014 when he captured both The Open Championship and the PGA Championship. Last year, at Pinehurst #2 in the U.S. Open, Rory nearly added another Major to his resume, but a missed putt on the 18th, resulting in a bogey, cost him the title as he fell one stroke short to Bryson DeChambeau.

Heading into this week’s Masters, McIlroy is in some of the best form of his career. He’s already notched two wins this season, triumphing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and THE PLAYERS Championship. Just two weeks ago, he finished T5 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, further proving his readiness for Augusta.

However, there is some concern regarding his health. After completing his final round at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, McIlroy revealed he was dealing with some elbow pain, a condition to keep an eye on as the week progresses.

Top Players Still Chasing Their First Major

Several top-ranked players are still in search of their first Major championship victory. Ludvig Åberg, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, had a standout performance at the 2024 Masters in his debut, finishing as the runner-up. Russell Henley, ranked No. 7, is also hunting for his first Major. He’s had strong showings recently, including a 5th-place finish at the 2023 Open Championship and a T7 at the U.S. Open. His best Masters finish came in 2023 when he placed T3.

Viktor Hovland, ranked No. 8, is another player seeking his first Major win. After claiming victory at the 2025 Valspar Championship, Hovland is riding a wave of confidence, having bounced back from three consecutive missed cuts. His best Major performance came in 2023 at Oak Hill, where he finished as the runner-up at the PGA Championship. At Augusta, his best result came last year with a T7 finish.

Debutants to Watch

This year’s field features several exciting debutants, each entering Augusta with fresh victories under their belts. Joe Highsmith, winner of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, Thomas Detry, who triumphed at the WM Phoenix Open, Brian Campbell, the Mexico Open champion, and Laurie Canter, who claimed the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour, are all making their first Masters appearance. However, they face a steep challenge, as no debutant has won the Masters since Fuzzy Zoeller’s victory in 1979.

Nicolai & Rasmus Højgaard Set to Make Masters History

For the first time in Masters history, twin brothers will tee it up together at Augusta National. Nicolai Højgaard, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour and member of both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, received a special invitation from Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley to compete in the 2025 tournament. He made an impression in his tournament debut last year with a strong T16 finish.

Joining him is his twin brother, Rasmus Højgaard, who earned his spot by finishing inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of 2024. Rasmus will be making his Masters Tournament debut this week.

Bernhard Langer Bids Farewell to Augusta

Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer (1985, 1993) is set to make his 41st—and final—appearance at Augusta National this week. The 67-year-old German originally planned to say goodbye to the Masters last year, but a torn Achilles tendon forced him to miss the 2024 tournament. Now fully recovered, Langer returns to take a final bow at the iconic venue where he’s created so many memorable moments over the decades.

Ángel Cabrera’s Return to the Masters

Ángel Cabrera, one of six past senior champions in this year’s field, will return to the Masters for the first time since 2019. The 2009 Masters champion had been convicted for domestic assault and intimidation of two former partners, which led to a 30-month prison sentence in Brazil and Argentina. He was released in August 2023. Cabrera was unable to compete in the 2024 Masters due to a visa issue but is set to play in the 2025 tournament. After his conviction in 2021, the PGA Tour suspended Cabrera, but he was reinstated following his release from prison.

Last week, he captured a victory at the James Hardie Invitational on the PGA TOUR Champions. This season, he has made four other starts—three on the PGA TOUR Champions and one on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica—showcasing his continued competitiveness across multiple tours.

Tiger Woods to Miss the 2025 Masters

Tiger Woods will not tee it up at Augusta National this year, officially ruling himself out of the 2025 Masters Tournament. The five-time Masters champion underwent surgery in March to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury that has kept him out of competition.

On April 1, Woods briefly sparked excitement with a social media post implying a return for this year’s Masters, but it was later revealed to be an April Fool’s joke. He confirmed he’s still in recovery and not yet ready to return to tournament play.

Woods’ last victory at Augusta came in 2019, marking one of the most memorable comebacks in golf history.

Caddie Changes Heading Into Augusta

Two notable caddie changes have made headlines ahead of this year’s Masters.

Matt Fitzpatrick has split with longtime caddie Billy Foster, ending a successful six-year partnership that included a memorable win at the 2022 U.S. Open. The decision comes amid a slow start to Fitzpatrick’s 2025 season, where he has yet to post a top-20 finish in six PGA TOUR starts.

Max Homa has also made a significant change on the bag, parting ways with longtime caddie Joe Greiner, who had been with him since his college days. Homa had Bill Harke on the bag for last week’s Valero Texas Open, though it remains to be seen if that pairing continues at Augusta. Like Fitzpatrick, Homa has struggled of late, missing the cut in each of his last five PGA TOUR appearances.

Hurricane Helene Leaves Its Mark on Augusta National

In September, Hurricane Helene swept through Augusta with winds reaching 82 mph, leaving a trail of destruction—including the loss of over 1,000 trees on the sacred grounds of Augusta National. The Category 1 storm knocked out power for days and caused significant damage in the area, destroying nearly 400 homes and severely damaging 3,000 more.

In the months since, Augusta National has worked tirelessly to restore the course to its world-renowned condition. Many of the fallen trees have been replaced, though some of the new plantings are noticeably smaller. Certain areas—like the space between the first and ninth fairways, and the right side of the 11th hole—now appear more open due to trees not being replaced. While the familiar trio of trees on the right side of the 11th fairway still stands, the surrounding complex is sparser.

Notably, the storm has subtly altered sightlines. From the 10th tee and around holes 11 and 12, glimpses of the bordering Augusta Country Club are now visible above the younger trees—something rarely seen in the past.

Despite these changes, Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley assured the golf world that the course is in “spectacular condition.” However, the subtle environmental shifts—especially the change in tree coverage—may lead to unexpected wind patterns, adding another layer of difficulty to an already demanding layout. As always, Augusta remains a true test—but now, with a slightly different twist.

We’re Headed to Georgia

The Masters is truly one of the most captivating spectacles in sports. With its pristine course, vibrant azaleas in full bloom, and the soothing sounds of birdsong, it enchants both avid golf fans and casual viewers alike. Though it may not have the centuries-long history of The Open Championship, The Masters offers a distinct charm and allure that makes it one of the most unique and prestigious tournaments in the world.

Tournament Information:

• Dates: April 10th – April 13th, 2025
• Location: Augusta, Georgia, United States
• Course: Augusta National Golf Club
• Course Type: Classical/ Technical
• Par: 72 (4x 3’s / 10x 4’s / 4x 5’s)
• Length: 7,555 Yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens: Bentgrass .125”
• Fairways: Bentgrass with Ryegrass overseed .375”
• Second Cut: Bentgrass with Ryegrass overseed 1.375”
• Bunkers: 44
• Water Hazard(s): 6 (In-Play on 5 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 6,486 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 13-14 ft.
• Purse/ Winner: N/A (2024: $20,000,000 /$3,600,000)
• FedEx Cup Points: 750
• Field: 95 Players
• Cut: Top 50 and Ties – 36 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden-Death (18, 10, 18, 10)
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2024: 73.91 (+1.91), Difficulty Rank 3 of 51
  • 2023: 72.96 (+0.96), Difficulty Rank 6 of 49
  • 2022: 73.95 (+1.95), Difficulty Rank 3 of 50
• Historic Cut Line:
  • 2024: +6
  • 2023: +3
  • 2022: +4

Social Media:

• Course X: N/A
• Tournament X: @TheMasters

Course Information:

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones (1933)
• Renovations:
  • 2024: No. 2 – The tee box was moved back and to the left
  • 2023: No. 13 – The tee box was moved back
  • 2022: No. 11 & No. 15 – The tee boxes were moved back
  • 2019: No. 5 – The tee box was moved back

To see all of the renovations completed on each hole, you can click the following link.

Comparable Courses:

• Muirfield Village Golf Club – the Memorial Tournament – RESULTS
• Plantation Course at Kapalua – The Sentry – RESULTS
• Bay Hill Club & Lodge – Arnold Palmer Invitational – RESULTS
• Riviera Country Club – The Genesis Invitational – RESULTS
• Quail Hollow Club – Wells Fargo Championship – RESULTS

Comparable Location (Augusta, Georgia):

• Sea Island Golf Club – St. Simons Island, Georgia – The RSM Classic
• East Lake Golf Club – Atlanta, Georgia – TOUR Championship

Designer Link (Dr. Alister MacKenzie):

• Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course) – Dr. Alister MacKenzie (1931) – President’s Cup (2019)
• Cypress Point Club – Dr. Alister MacKenzie (1928) – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (1947-1990)

Comparable Yardage (7,555 Yards):

• Quail Hollow Club – 7,521 Yards – Wells Fargo Championship
• Muirfield Village Golf Club – 7,533 Yards – the Memorial Tournament
• Plantation Course at Kapalua – 7,596 Yards – Sentry Tournament of Champions

Comparable Greens (Bentgrass .125”):

• TPC Twin Cities – Bentgrass .110” – 3M Open
• TPC Craig Ranch – Bentgrass .100” – THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson
• Torrey Pines Golf Course (North) – Bentgrass .100″ – Farmers Insurance Open
• TPC Deere Run – L-93 Bentgrass .100” – John Deere Classic
• Muirfield Village Golf Club – Bentgrass .090” – the Memorial Tournament
• Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club – Bentgrass – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP
• Black Desert Resort – 007XL Bentgrass .120” – Black Desert Championship

Comparable Average Green Size (6,486 sq. ft.):

• TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course) – 6,400 sq. ft. – Valero Texas Open
• TPC Twin Cities – 6,500 sq. ft. – 3M Open
• Grand Reserve Golf Club – 6,500 sq. ft. – Puerto Rico Open

TV Information (all times ET):

• Round 1 — Thursday, April 10th, 2025
  • ESPN+ | 9:15 AM – 7:30 PM (Featured Groups)
  • ESPN | 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Round 2 — Friday, April 11th, 2025
  • ESPN+ | 9:15 AM – 7:30 PM (Featured Groups)
  • ESPN | 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Round 3 — Saturday, April 12th, 2025
  • ESPN+ | 10:15 AM – 7:00 PM (Featured Groups)
  • Paramount+ | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  • CBS | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 4 — Sunday, April 13th, 2025
  • ESPN+ | 10:15 AM – 7:00 PM (Featured Groups)
  • Paramount+ | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  • CBS | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

In addition to traditional TV coverage, select broadcasts will be available for streaming on the official Masters website. To watch live and access featured groups or holes, click the link. For the complete broadcast schedule for this week’s Masters, follow this full schedule link.

Weather:

Rain has impacted 49 of the 88 Masters Tournaments. Eight days of play have been postponed over the years, though on four occasions—1936, 1938, 1939, and 2003—tournament officials made up for lost time by scheduling 36 holes in a single day. The most recent Monday finish due to weather occurred in 1983.

Course/ Tournament History:

The Origins of Augusta National

In 1930, Bobby Jones purchased the land that would become Augusta National Golf Club and enlisted renowned course architect Alister MacKenzie to bring his vision to life. After two years of careful design and construction, the course officially opened for play. The first Masters Tournament—then known as the Augusta National Invitational—was held in 1934 and won by Horton Smith. Since then, the tournament has only been interrupted once, from 1943 to 1945, due to World War II. In 2020, the Masters was postponed to November because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Botanical Roots: The Naming of the Holes

Augusta National was built on the grounds of the former Fruitland Nurseries, and as a tribute to its botanical history, each hole is named after a tree or shrub once grown on the property. The naming of the holes was a collaborative effort between Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts, and Louis Alphonse Berckmans, the son of P.J.A. Berckmans, who originally owned the nursery. While most hole names have remained unchanged, a few have been altered over the years.

Amen Corner: The Heart of Augusta National

“Amen Corner”—a phrase that is synonymous with Masters week—refers to the iconic stretch of holes No. 11, 12, and 13. The term was first coined by legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind in the April 21, 1958 edition of Sports Illustrated.

Running through Amen Corner is Rae’s Creek, named after John Rae, an Irish trader who played a significant role in shaping Augusta’s early history, commerce, and culture. Rae owned a home that served as the final stronghold along the Savannah River above Fort Augusta, offering refuge for residents during times of conflict. Rae’s Creek winds behind the 11th green, flows in front of the 12th green, and continues past the 13th tee—creating both beauty and danger in one of golf’s most iconic stretches.

The Masters Tournament: A Prestigious Tradition

The Masters is not only one of golf’s most prestigious events but also the first major championship on the professional golf calendar each year. It is recognized as an official money event by the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), and the Japan Golf Tour.

The Green Jacket and Other Awards

The tradition of awarding a green jacket to the champion began in 1949. In addition to joining an elite group of winners, the champion becomes an honorary member of Augusta National. The green jacket may only leave club grounds with the reigning champion and must be returned the following year.

Beyond the green jacket, several other awards are presented during Masters week. A crystal vase goes to the player with the lowest daily round. A crystal bowl is awarded for a hole-in-one or double eagle, and players who make an eagle receive a pair of crystal goblets.

In 1952, the Silver Cup was introduced to honor the lowest-scoring amateur who makes the cut. Notable recipients include Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, and Tiger Woods. More recently, Patrick Cantlay claimed it in 2012, followed by Viktor Hovland in 2019.

The Crow’s Nest: A Tradition for Amateurs

Amateurs in the field are invited to stay in the famous “Crow’s Nest,” a room atop the Augusta National clubhouse. It’s a cozy space divided into four sleeping quarters and has housed some of the game’s greats, including Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, and Phil Mickelson.

The Par 3 Contest: Fun and Tradition

Another beloved tradition is the Par 3 Contest, held each Wednesday before the tournament. Debuting in 1960 with Sam Snead shooting a winning score of 23, the Par 3 course was designed in 1958 by George Cobb and Clifford Roberts. It’s a charming nine-hole layout measuring roughly 1,060 yards and plays as a par 27. Despite its lighthearted vibe, no winner of the Par 3 Contest has gone on to win the Masters in the same year—adding a bit of superstition to an already storied week.

The Champions Dinner: A Night of Tradition

One of the lesser-known traditions at the Masters is the Champions Dinner, held each Tuesday night of tournament week. Initiated by Ben Hogan in 1952, the exclusive gathering is hosted by the previous year’s champion, who also selects the menu—often a reflection of their home country or personal favorites. In 1998, Tiger Woods famously served cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes after his first win. It’s a night steeped in camaraderie and quiet reverence, with past champions gathering to celebrate one another and the history of the tournament.

The Timeless Atmosphere of Augusta National

Another unique touch at Augusta National is the course’s subtle, old-school atmosphere. Traditional signage is replaced by Roman numerals on scoreboards, and leaderboards are still updated manually by volunteers known as “Masters Scorers.” Adding to the timeless feel, cell phones are strictly prohibited during tournament play—preserving a distraction-free environment that’s as much about tradition as it is about championship golf.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Previous Tournament Names:

Tournament Records:

• Most Wins at Event:
  • 6, Jack Nicklaus (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986)

Course Records:

• 72-Hole Record (Augusta National Golf Club):
  • 268, Dustin Johnson (2020)

• 18-Hole Record (Augusta National Golf Club):
  • 63, Nick Price (Round 3, 1986), Greg Norman (Round 1, 1996)

• Largest Margin of Victory (Augusta National Golf Club):
  • 12 Strokes, Tiger Woods (1997)

Course Guide/ Scorecard:

Originally crafted by Dr. Alister MacKenzie & Bobby Jones in 1933, Augusta National Golf Club features a traditional Par 72 layout, comprising four Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and four Par 5s.

Augusta National is one of the most consistent courses on the PGA Tour but there have been some recent renovations lately. In 2022, holes No. 11 ‘White Dogwood’ and No. 15 ‘Firethorn’ were slightly modified adding some additional difficulty. Both tee boxes were pushed back along with the recontouring of the fairways on those holes. In 2023, the tee box on No. 13 ‘Azalea’ was moved back approximately 35 yards. After the tournament last year, the tee box on No. 2, ‘Pink Dogwood’ was moved back 10 yards. Given the most recent change, the course yardage has increased from 7,545 yards to 7,555 yards.

Augusta National is one of the tougher courses on Tour ranking sixth of the forty-nine courses players faced last season. Over the past three editions, the scoring average has been above par each time. In 2023, only one hole played under par outside of the four Par 5’s.

Augusta National is one of the longest tracks on the PGA TOUR, stretching 7,555 yards — the 7th longest of the 44 courses in rotation. Despite its length, the course offers some forgiveness off the tee, with fairways averaging 51.0 yards in width, the widest on Tour. The greens, however, are relatively small by comparison, averaging just 6,486 square feet. Bunkers don’t play a major role at Augusta either, with only 44 on the property — the third fewest among all PGA TOUR venues.

Originally, the green complexes consisted of Bermuda grass. Throughout the 1970s, the greens became slower, and they switched to a different strain of Bermuda. In 1978, Augusta National switched their par 3 course to bentgrass. Given the success of that trial run, they decided to change the main course to bentgrass as well before the 1981 Masters. If you’re interested in learning more about the greens of Augusta National, I highly recommend checking this article.

Augusta National’s five par 3s range from 155 to 240 yards, with two of them falling in the 150–175-yard window. Despite their beauty, these holes are anything but easy. In the most recent edition of the Masters, every par 3 on the course played over par—proving that even the shortest holes at Augusta demand pinpoint accuracy and nerves of steel.

No. 4 ‘Flowering Crab Apple‘, 240 Yards, Par 3: This hole is a stout par three that requires a long iron and is often made harder by deceptive winds. Two bunkers, front right and front left, guard the green, which slopes back to the front. The green was originally shaped like a boomerang. It’s now a bit wider, the bend slightly less extreme. But the hole remains an elusive target.

No. 6 ‘Juniper‘, 180 Yards, Par 3: This par three features an elevated tee and a large undulating green. The shifting levels of the putting surface from front to back make the pin position very important. In the 1930s, the green was fronted by a stream, and in the 1950s by a pond. But the hazard rarely came into play and was therefore removed in 1959.

No. 12 ‘Golden Bell‘, 155 yards, Par 3: One of the world’s most famous golf holes, this is Augusta National’s shortest par three. Club selection is often difficult, as varying winds can require anything from a six-iron to a nine-iron for Masters competitors. The daunting presence of Rae’s Creek and three strategically placed bunkers make it imperative that players land their shots on the putting surface. Golfers walk across the Ben Hogan Bridge to reach the green.

No. 16 ‘Redbud‘, 170 Yards, Par 3: This hole is played entirely over water to a green secured by three bunkers. With the putting surface significantly pitched from right to left, an exacting tee shot is required to set up a reasonable birdie chance.

Augusta National Golf Club features ten par 4s, five of which fall within the demanding range of 450 to 500 yards. The shortest of the bunch is the risk-reward 3rd hole, “Flowering Peach,” measuring just 350 yards. On the other end of the spectrum is the formidable 11th hole, “White Dogwood,” stretching out to 520 yards—making it not only the longest par 4 on the course but also the most difficult. In 2024, No. 11 played to a scoring average of +0.386, the toughest of any par 4 at Augusta.

No. 5 ‘Magnolia‘, 495 Yards, Par 4: This hole was inspired by the legendary Road Hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews. An uphill, dogleg left to a sloping green. The fairway bunkers are deep and positioned to demand accuracy off the tee. To clear them requires a carry of 315 yards. The green slopes back to the front, and a rear bunker catches balls hit too long.

No. 10 ‘Camellia‘, 495 Yards, Par 4: This long par four plays steeply downhill and features a nearly 60-yard-long center bunker well short of the green. Players will try to drive the ball to the left-center for the best angle into a green that pitches right to left. Until 1935, this was the first hole. It is traditionally the most difficult hole on the course. Originally, the 10th green was positioned to the right of the huge fairway bunker. In 1937, the putting surface was moved to the rise beyond the bunker, making the hole extremely demanding.

No. 11 ‘White Dogwood‘, 520 Yards, Par 4: At this hole begins Amen Corner, and wind is often a factor. The tee shot plays downhill and left to right. A pond guards the green to the left and a bunker is strategically placed right center. This hole may best be remembered for Larry Mize’s miraculous chip-in to defeat Greg Norman in a playoff in the 1987 Masters. Prior to 1950, Rae’s Creek ran in front of this green. It was replaced by a larger hazard in form of the current pond.

No. 18 ‘Holly‘, 465 Yards, Par 4: One of the most famous finishing holes in golf, this uphill dogleg right is protected by two bunkers at the left elbow of the fairway. A drive hit down the center will often require a middle iron for a second shot to a deep, narrow green guarded by one bunker short-left and another hard right.

Augusta National’s four par 5s—No. 2 Pink Dogwood, No. 8 Yellow Jasmine, No. 13 Azalea, and No. 15 Firethorn—have long been considered prime scoring opportunities. In last year’s Masters, all but one played under par. The exception was No. 15 Firethorn, which averaged 5.007, making it the lone par 5 to play over par. The easiest hole on the course? That honor went to No. 8 Yellow Jasmine, which yielded a scoring average of just 4.641.

The only par 5 to undergo a change ahead of this year’s tournament is Pink Dogwood (No. 2), where the tee box was moved back 10 yards and shifted slightly to the left, adding a subtle new challenge to a traditionally gettable hole.

No. 2 ‘Pink Dogwood‘, 585 Yards, Par 5: Originally, the green was guarded by a lone bunker on the right. That bunker was reduced in size in 1966, and a left bunker was added in 1946. No. 2 is a dogleg left which may be reachable in two. Large, deep greenside bunkers demand special attention on the second shot.

No. 8 ‘Yellow Jasmine‘, 570 Yards, Par 5: An accurate drive is needed to avoid the fairway bunker on the right side on this uphill hole. The long, narrow green is bunkerless. It is guarded instead by a series of mounds, the biggest of which line its left side.

No. 13 ‘Azalea‘, 545 Yards, Par 5: An accurate tee shot to the center of the fairway on this sweeping dogleg left allows a player to go for the green in two. A tributary to Rae’s Creek winds in front of the raised green, and four bunkers threaten behind. The Byron Nelson Bridge is located just off the tee.

No. 15 ‘Firethorn‘, 550 Yards, Par 5: A famously reachable par five when the winds are favorable. A well-struck second shot must be played over the pond and away from the bunker that guards the green on the right. Gene Sarazen hit his “shot heard ’round the world” here when he holed a four-wood approach from 235 yards away for a double eagle in 1935.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 11, 12, 13 (Amen Corner)

Key Statistics:

Success at Augusta National requires a complete, all-around game. From elite ball striking to savvy short game play and putting on lightning-fast greens, each facet of a player’s game is tested. Here’s a breakdown of the most critical stats—and how recent winners have ranked in each—heading into this year’s Masters Tournament.

Per DataGolf, this is the favored skillset at Augusta National Golf Club.

Strokes Gained: Tee to Green

• To conquer Augusta National, players must be dialed in from tee to green. This stat combines performance off the tee, on approach, and around the greens—all vital areas on this course. Each of the last four Masters champions ranked 2nd or better in SG: Tee to Green during their respective wins. Augusta rewards precision and penalizes mistakes. Gaining strokes tee to green allows players to consistently set up birdie chances and avoid big numbers.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Bryson DeChambeau
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Brooks Koepka
    • Shane Lowry
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Michael Kim
    • Robert MacIntyre
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Kevin Yu

Strokes Gained: Approach

• Approach play has proven to be the backbone of success at Augusta. The undulating greens and tight pin positions demand precise iron play. In each of the last four editions, the champion ranked 14th or better in SG: Approach.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Collin Morikawa
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Shane Lowry
    • Tom Kim
    • Justin Thomas
    • Kevin Yu
    • Nick Taylor
    • Viktor Hovland
    • Xander Schauffele

Strokes Gained: Around the Green

• This stat is particularly crucial at Augusta, where missed greens are inevitable and scrambling becomes essential. Each of the last four champions ranked 7th or better in SG: Around the Green. With tight lies, shaved runoffs, and slick green surrounds, Augusta punishes sloppy wedge play. Saving par in tough spots is what separates contenders from pretenders.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Cameron Smith
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Patrick Reed
    • Tyrrell Hatton
    • Michael Kim
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Jose Maria Olazabal
    • Brian Campbell
    • Mike Weir
    • Russell Henley

Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) – Green Speed: Lightning

• Augusta’s greens are Bentgrass mown to 0.125″ and roll at speeds that are among the fastest players will face all year. Knowing how to navigate the contours and speed of these greens is key. Great putters on fast Bentgrass surfaces have a distinct edge.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Cameron Smith
    • Harris English
    • Patrick Reed
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Justin Rose
    • Denny McCarthy
    • Danny Willett
    • J.T. Poston
    • Viktor Hovland
    • Chris Kirk

3-Putt Avoidance

• Three-putts are far more common at Augusta than at a typical PGA Tour stop. With fast greens and tricky hole locations, avoiding costly mistakes is critical. One slip on Augusta’s greens can derail a round. Players who consistently two-putt—or better—will stay in contention.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Cameron Smith
    • Michael Kim
    • Zach Johnson
    • Patrick Reed
    • Billy Horschel
    • Davis Riley
    • Justin Thomas
    • Robert MacIntyre
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Stephan Jaeger

Driving Distance Gained

• Power off the tee has become a defining trait of recent Masters winners. Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia all ranked in the top 20 in Driving Distance the week they won. Augusta’s wide fairways encourage aggressive play, and longer hitters have shorter irons into par 5s and long par 4s—translating to more scoring opportunities.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Bryson DeChambeau
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Jon Rahm
    • Cameron Young
    • Jhonattan Vegas
    • Ludvig Aberg
    • Wyndham Clark
    • Taylor Pendrith
    • Joaquin Niemann

Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards

• Five of Augusta’s ten Par 4s fall within the 450–500 yard range. These are among the most demanding holes on the course. Playing them under par gives players a huge edge on the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Nick Taylor
    • Brooks Koepka
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Bryson DeChambeau
    • Harris English
    • Justin Thomas
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Daniel Berger
    • Stephan Jaeger
    • Keegan Bradley

Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards

• Three of the four Par 5s at Augusta fall within this range, making them prime birdie or even eagle chances. Scoring on Par 5s is essential at Augusta. Players who capitalize here can quickly move up the leaderboard.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Davis Riley
    • Justin Rose
    • Patrick Cantlay
    • Justin Thomas
    • Cameron Smith
    • Michael Kim
    • Taylor Pendrith
    • Rory McIlroy
    • Viktor Hovland
    • Joaquin Niemann

Bogey Avoidance Gained

• Bogey avoidance is a critical stat at Augusta National because the course rewards patience and penalizes mistakes more than most venues on Tour. With its length, undulating greens, and demanding approach shots, Augusta doesn’t offer many scoring opportunities outside of the par 5s and a few shorter par 4s. That means players need to avoid giving shots away on the rest of the course. Par is often a good score, and minimizing bogeys helps players stay in contention while others fall back. One poor shot can quickly lead to a bogey or worse, especially around the greens where short-sided misses are brutally punished. Historically, players who have contended or won at the Masters — like Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, and Patrick Reed — have consistently ranked well in bogey avoidance. In a tournament where grinding out pars is often the key to survival, this stat becomes one of the most reliable indicators of potential success at Augusta.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Michael Kim
    • Shane Lowry
    • Danny Willett
    • Min Woo Lee
    • Daniel Berger
    • Joaquin Niemann
    • Tommy Fleetwood
    • Bryson DeChambeau

Proximity Gained: 200+ Yards

• Augusta demands a high volume of long iron play, especially on approach shots into Par 4s and Par 5s.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Akshay Bhatia
    • Bernhard Langer
    • Brooks Koepka
    • Viktor Hovland
    • Joaquin Niemann
    • Tom Hoge
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Dustin Johnson
    • Michael Kim
    • Lucas Glover

Course History & Comparable Courses

• According to DataGolf, course history is more predictive at Augusta National than at nearly any other course on the calendar. Familiarity with the layout, green complexes, and overall demands is a significant asset. Only one player—Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979—has won the Masters in their debut. Experience matters, and players who’ve performed well here in the past tend to repeat success.
  • Leaders in this category (Stokes Gained Total in the Last 5 Years at Augusta National Golf Club):
    • Scottie Scheffler
    • Cameron Smith
    • Jon Rahm
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Patrick Reed
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Xander Schauffele
    • Will Zalatoris
    • Shane Lowry
    • Tommy Fleetwood

The Field:

This year’s Masters Tournament will feature a total of 95 competitors. Remarkably, 59 of the top 60 Official World Golf Ranking players will be contending, with only Eric Cole absent from the list. The field is composed of 72 PGA Tour Players, 12 LIV Tour Players, 5 Amateurs, 5 Past Champions, and 1 DP World Tour Player.

Special Invitations at This Year’s Masters

Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, has extended two special invitations for the 2025 tournament to Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark and Joaquin Niemann of Chile.

Højgaard, a member of both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, has earned three victories on the DP World Tour and impressed with a T16 finish in his Masters debut last season. His twin brother, Rasmus, will also make his Masters debut this year, marking the first time twin brothers will compete in the same Masters tournament.

Niemann, who plays for LIV Golf, received a special exemption for last year’s Masters and is set to make his sixth appearance at Augusta National. He first competed in the Masters in 2018 as the world’s top-ranked amateur and reigning Latin America Amateur champion. Niemann has finished inside the top 25 in each of his last two Masters appearances and has been in excellent form this season, winning both LIV Adelaide and LIV Singapore.

Top PGA Tour Contenders at This Year’s Masters

Leading the charge among the 72 PGA Tour players at this year’s Masters are Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele. Defending champion Scheffler, who also won in 2022, comes into Augusta with strong momentum after finishing as the runner-up at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in his last start. While he hasn’t claimed a win this season, he has consistently been in the mix, never finishing outside the top 25 in his six starts so far.

Rory McIlroy, fresh off a scorching start to the 2025 season with two wins already, is highly motivated to complete his career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele, who captured two Major Championships last season, looks to build on his strong form, highlighted by a solid finish at the Valspar Championship last month. Despite both Scheffler and Schauffele dealing with injury concerns this season, they have proven their ability to rise to the occasion when a Major is on the line.

LIV Contenders at This Year’s Masters

Leading the 12-player LIV contingent at this year’s Masters is 2023 champion Jon Rahm. He is joined by a strong lineup of players, including Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time Major champion with his most recent victory at the 2024 U.S. Open, and Brooks Koepka, a five-time Major champion, with his latest win coming in the 2023 PGA Championship. Also in contention is Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open Championship winner.

The field also features several past Masters champions from LIV, including Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel, and Bubba Watson. Completing the LIV roster are Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann, who round out the group of players receiving invitations for the tournament.

Amateurs Set to Shine at Augusta

Five of the game’s most accomplished amateurs will tee it up this week at Augusta National, each having earned their invitation to the 2025 Masters through victories in some of golf’s most prestigious amateur events:

Jose Luis Ballester – The 2024 U.S. Amateur champion and a standout at Arizona State, Ballester is currently ranked third in the PGA Tour University rankings. The 21-year-old Spaniard, who won his title at Hazeltine, has strong ties to Augusta through his coach—Sergio Garcia’s father—and a close relationship with the 2017 Masters champion himself.

Noah Kent – The U.S. Amateur runner-up in 2024, Kent is a sophomore at the University of Florida after transferring from Iowa. His breakthrough at the U.S. Amateur earned him a coveted Masters invitation.

Justin Hastings – Hailing from the Cayman Islands, Hastings won the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship, securing spots in the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. The San Diego State senior has been inside the top 20 of the PGA Tour University rankings most of the season and has already made pro starts at the Mexico Open (T13) and Puerto Rico Open (MC).

Hiroshi Tai – A junior at Georgia Tech, Tai won the 2024 NCAA Division I individual national championship, which earned him his place at Augusta. He also competed in last year’s U.S. Open and was named a first-team All-American.

Evan Beck – Winner of the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, Beck represents the best of the post-college amateur scene. The Mid-Am, designed for players 25 and older who are not pursuing professional golf, gives Beck his first opportunity to walk Augusta’s hallowed fairways in competition.

Former Senior Champions at This Year’s Masters

This year’s Masters field includes six past Senior Champions: Ángel Cabrera, José María Olazábal, Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer, Mike Weir, and Fred Couples. Notably, both Olazábal and Singh made the cut last year.

DP World Tour Representation at This Year’s Masters

Laurie Canter enters the 2025 Masters as the lone DP World Tour representative in the field. The Englishman has been in impressive form this season, highlighted by a victory at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. In addition to that win, Canter has shown remarkable consistency on the DPWT, finishing 3rd at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and narrowly falling short in a playoff at the Investec South African Open Championship. Despite his strong performances internationally, his lone start in the U.S. this season came at THE PLAYERS Championship, where he missed the cut.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

• Masters Tournament Champions (lifetime)
• U.S. Open champions (five years)
• The Open champions (five years)
• PGA champions (five years)
• Winners of the Players Championship (three years)
• Current Olympic Gold Medalist (one year)
• Current U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up
• Current British Amateur champion
• Current Asia-Pacific Amateur champion
• Current Latin America Amateur champion
• Current U.S. Mid-Amateur champion
• Current NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship individual champion
• The first 12 players, including ties, in the previous year’s Masters Tournament
• The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s U.S. Open
• The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s Open Championship
• The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s PGA Championship
• Winners of PGA Tour events that award at least a full-point allocation for the FedEx Cup, from one Masters Tournament to the next
• Those qualifying and eligible for the previous year’s season-ending Tour Championship (top 30 in FedEx Cup prior to tournament)
• The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year
• The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters Tournament

Previous Winners in the Field:

• Scottie Scheffler (’24, ’22), Jon Rahm (’23), Hideki Matsuyama (’21), Dustin Johnson (’20), Patrick Reed (’18), Sergio Garcia (’17), Danny Willett (’16), Jordan Spieth (’15), Bubba Watson (’14. ’12), Adam Scott (’13), Charl Schwartzel (’11), Phil Mickelson (’10, ’06, ’04), Angel Cabrera (’09), Zach Johnson (’07), Mike Weir (’03), Vijay Singh (’00), Jose Maria Olazabal (’99, ’94), Bernhard Langer (’93, ’85), Fred Couples (’92)

Debutants in the Field:

• Aaron Rai, Brian Campbell, Davis Riley, Davis Thompson, Evan Beck (Amateur), Hiroshi Tai (Amateur), Joe Highsmith, Jose Luis Ballester (Amateur), Justin Hastings (Amateur), Kevin Yu, Laurie Canter, Matt McCarty, Maverick McNealy, Max Greyserman, Nicolas Echavarria, Noah Kent (Amateur), Rafael Campos, Rasmus Højgaard, Taylor Pendrith, Thomas Detry, Thriston Lawrence

Exemptions:

The Masters Committee, at its discretion, also invites international players not otherwise qualified.

• Nicolai Højgaard
• Joaquin Niemann

Players with ties to Georgia in the Field:

Birthplace:

• Brian Harman – Savannah, Georgia
• Russell Henley – Macon, Georgia
• Harris English – Valdosta, Georgia

College:

• Patrick Reed – University of Georgia/ Augusta State University
• Bubba Watson – University of Georgia
• Brian Harman – University of Georgia
• Russell Henley – University of Georgia
• Sepp Straka – University of Georgia
• Harris English – University of Georgia
• Chris Kirk – University of Georgia

Injury Report:

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

• Vijay Singh – W/D (Injury)

Tee Times & Groupings:

The Odds:

Here’s a breakdown of the top 30 players by odds for this week’s event, featuring their recent performances and past results at Augusta National.

Trends:

When analyzing the last 10 Masters champions, a clear pattern emerges. Here’s a breakdown of the key trends that have defined the success of these players:

World Ranking

• All 10 winners were ranked in the world’s top 30.
• Eight of them were in the top 20 at the time of their victory.

Masters Experience

• Eight of the last 10 winners had played in at least three Masters.
• Seven of the last 10 champions had posted a previous top five finish at Augusta National.

Defending Champions

• Only two defending champions since 2007 have managed a top 10, let alone a win.

Recent Form

• Seven of the last 10 winners had posted a top 12 finish in a strokeplay event during the same month of the Masters or the previous month.
• Seven of the last 10 winners had already secured a win earlier in the season.
• Nine of the last 10 winners had posted a top six finish in a Major in one of the previous two seasons.
• Seven of the last 10 winners hadn’t cracked the top 10 the year before their victory.

Performance Stats

Several key stats highlight the consistency needed to win the Masters:

• Driving Distance: Eight of the last 10 winners had previously recorded a top 20 in driving distance.
• Driving Accuracy: Eight of the last 10 winners had been in the top 20 for driving accuracy in a previous Masters.
• Greens in Regulation (GIR): Eight of the last 10 winners had ranked 12th or better for GIR at Augusta.
• Scrambling: Eight of the last 10 winners had finished in the top 20 for scrambling in a previous Masters.
• Putting Average: Seven of the last 10 winners had ranked 20th or higher for putting average at Augusta.
• Ball-Striking: Eight of the last 10 winners had previously ranked in the top 10 for ball-striking.

Looking at the last 10 champions, eight had excelled in at least five of the six key performance categories above before claiming the title.

All credit goes to Dave Tindall. Be sure to check out his 10-year trends article here.

• The last time a Masters champion missed the cut the week before was 2009 (Angel Cabrera).

Tournament Props:

Playoff:

• Will There Be a Playoff at the Masters Tournament? (Yes +350 / No -500)

The Masters has not concluded in a playoff since 2013.

In 1976, the tournament adopted a sudden-death playoff format, replacing the traditional 18-hole playoff. The format was updated again in 2004, designating the 18th hole as the starting point for a playoff, rather than the 10th. Since this change, there have been 11 sudden-death playoffs at Augusta—four were decided on the first hole, while seven extended to the second.

Prior to 1976, playoffs were conducted over 18 holes, with one notable exception in 1935 when the playoff spanned 36 holes. In total, six Masters titles were decided by a full 18-hole playoff, with none requiring extra holes beyond that.

Hole-in-One:

• Will There Be A Hole-in-One at the Masters Tournament? (Yes -200/ No +150)

There have been no hole-in-ones recorded in the last two editions of the Masters. The most recent came in 2022, when Stewart Cink aced the iconic 16th hole. In 2021, two aces were recorded—Tommy Fleetwood found the cup on No. 16, while Corey Conners made his on the par-3 6th.

Wire to Wire Winner:

• Will There Be A Wire-to-wire Winner at the Masters Tournament? (Yes +650)

Only five players in Masters history have held the outright lead after every round and gone on to win the tournament wire-to-wire. The most recent to accomplish this rare feat was Jordan Spieth in 2015. He joins an elite group that includes Raymond Floyd (1976), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Arnold Palmer (1960), and Craig Wood (1941).

Recent Horses for Courses (Augusta National Golf Club):

Recent Donkeys for Courses (Augusta National Golf Club):

Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):

• 2024: Scottie Scheffler (-11)
  • Price: 4-1

• 2023: Jon Rahm (-12)
  • Price: 9-1

• 2022: Scottie Scheffler (-10)
  • Price: 16-1

• 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
  • Price: 45-1

• 2020: Dustin Johnson (-20)
  • Price: 9-1

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):

• 2024: Scottie Scheffler
  • T2 – Texas Children’s Houston Open
  • WON – THE PLAYERS Championship
  • WON – Arnold Palmer Invitational
  • T10 – The Genesis Invitational
  • T3 – WM Phoenix Open

• 2023: Jon Rahm
  • T31 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • WD – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T39 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • WON – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
  • 3 – WM Phoenix Open (PGA)

• 2022: Scottie Scheffler
  • WON – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • T55 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • WON – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • T7 – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
  • WON – WM Phoenix Open (PGA)

• 2021: Hideki Matsuyama
  • T30 – Valero Texas Open (PGA)
  • T42 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • MC – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T18 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • T15 – WGC-Workday Championship (PGA)

• 2020: Dustin Johnson
  • T2 – Vivint Houston Open (PGA)
  • T6 – U.S. Open (MAJ)
  • WON – TOUR Championship (PGA)
  • 2 – BMW Championship (PGA)
  • WON – THE NORTHERN TRUST (PGA)

Previous Winners Finishes at Event:

2024: Scottie Scheffler

2023: Jon Rahm

2022: Scottie Scheffler

2021: Hideki Matsuyama

2020: Dustin Johnson

Previous Winners Finishes at Major Championships:

2024: Scottie Scheffler

2023: Jon Rahm

2022: Scottie Scheffler

2021: Hideki Matsuyama

Sportsbooks Promotions:

DraftKings

FanDuel

BetMGM

Picks:

Before diving into this week’s outright picks, I want to highlight one notable omission from the card — Collin Morikawa. On paper, he checks every box: elite in all the key metrics, a two-time Major champion, and a strong history at Augusta National. He even came in at No. 1 in my model this week.

But after his collapse at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it’s hard to trust him to close. Time and time again, he’s shown there’s something missing in the final moments. He already has two runner-up finishes this season — matching the two he had last year — and the pattern is becoming hard to ignore. It’s starting to resemble the stretch Xander Schauffele went through before finally breaking through at the PGA Championship.

Until Morikawa proves he can finish the job, it’s tough to back him with full confidence. On top of that, no player has posted back-to-back top 5 finishes at the Masters since 2020 — and Morikawa finished third here last year.

Outrights

Jon Rahm (+1600) – BetMGM

Jon Rahm has been in solid form during the early stages of the 2025 season on the LIV Golf Tour. He’s posted five top-10 finishes in six starts, highlighted by a T2 in Riyadh, a T5 in Singapore, and a T6 in Hong Kong. His most recent outing at LIV Miami resulted in a T9 finish, showing consistent play heading into Augusta. His only missed cut came at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.

Rahm boasts an impressive resume at Augusta National. In 2023, he claimed his first green jacket with a dominant performance. Outside of that win, he’s recorded six top 10 finishes in eight Masters starts, including a T5 in 2021, T7 in the COVID-delayed 2020 Masters, T9 in both 2019 and 2024, a 4th place finish in 2018, and a T27 in both 2017 and 2022. Despite a T45 finish in 2024, Rahm has shown he knows how to contend at Augusta. With solid LIV form and a history of success at the Masters, he enters the 2025 tournament as a legitimate threat to capture his second green jacket.

Xander Schauffele (+2200) – BetMGM

Xander Schauffele’s 2025 season has been a gradual recovery after a significant setback early in the year. Following an intercostal strain in December—an injury to the rib cartilage—he was sidelined for more than a month, missing key West Coast events, including the tournament at Torrey Pines, where he’s had success in the past.

He returned at The Sentry in Hawaii, where he struggled to find his rhythm, finishing T30. His performances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship focused more on shaking off the rust than competing for wins. However, a clutch birdie on the final hole at TPC Sawgrass demonstrated his resilience and ability to rise to the occasion. At the Valspar Championship, Schauffele posted his best result of the season so far, finishing T12, as he continues to refine his game ahead of the majors.

Although Schauffele has yet to notch a top-10 finish in 2025, he’s showing steady improvement. With the injury behind him and more time on the course, he’s steadily returning to the form that has made him a consistent force on the PGA TOUR.

Xander Schauffele had a breakthrough 2024 season, securing his first two major championships—victories at the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club and The Open Championship at Royal Troon.

He’s no stranger to Augusta National, having competed there seven times, with five top 20 finishes to his name, including four top 10s. Schauffele’s best result at the Masters came in 2021 when he finished T3. However, his 2022 Masters campaign was a rare misstep, as he missed the cut. In recent years, he’s bounced back strongly, finishing T10 in 2023 and improving to 8th in 2024. His consistency at Augusta shows that he’s found his rhythm on the course, entering the 2025 tournament with confidence and a strong track record.

Brooks Koepka (+3000) – DraftKings

Brooks Koepka has had a mixed start to his 2025 season on the LIV Golf Tour. His most notable performance came with a runner-up finish in Singapore, showing flashes of his major-contending form. He also recorded a T7 in Adelaide but struggled elsewhere, finishing T33 in Riyadh, T35 in Hong Kong, and T18 in Miami. While not in peak form, Koepka has a history of showing up when it matters most—at the majors.

At Augusta National, Koepka has delivered several strong performances throughout his career. He finished tied for 2nd in 2023, narrowly missing out on the green jacket. He also has two other top 10 finishes at the Masters: a T7 in the COVID-delayed 2020 tournament and a T2 in 2019. His 2021 and 2022 appearances were cut short due to missed cuts, and in 2024, he finished tied for 45th. In total, Koepka has made ten Masters starts, with five top 20 finishes. Despite inconsistent LIV results this season, his Major pedigree and past success at Augusta make him a dangerous contender in 2025.

Shane Lowry (+4500) – DraftKings

Shane Lowry’s 2025 season on the PGA Tour has been solid, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a 7th-place showing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He’s been a consistent presence on leaderboards, also notching top 15 finishes at the Valspar Championship (T8) and the Cognizant Classic (T11). Though he missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and had a disappointing T39 at the Genesis Invitational, Lowry has shown he’s trending in the right direction ahead of Augusta.

At the Masters, Lowry’s history has been up and down. His best finish came in 2022 with a T3, showing his ability to contend at Augusta National. In 2023, he followed it up with a respectable T16, but he struggled in 2024, finishing T43. Prior to that, he missed the cut four times (2016, 2017, 2019, and 2015) but did manage to make the weekend in 2020 (T25) and 2021 (T21). While he’s yet to claim a green jacket, Lowry’s ball-striking and recent form make him a sneaky threat in 2025 if his putter cooperates.

Russell Henley (+5500) – DraftKings

Russell Henley has delivered a strong and steady 2025 PGA Tour season, highlighted by a signature win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 9. He’s been a regular presence near the top of the leaderboard, recording a T5 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T6 at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, and T10 at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Henley also turned in respectable finishes at THE PLAYERS Championship and The Sentry (both T30), along with a T39 at The Genesis Invitational.

At the Masters, Henley has put together a respectable track record. His best performances came back-to-back in 2017 (T11) and 2018 (T15), showing he can handle Augusta’s challenge when in form. He’s made the cut in each of his last three starts, finishing T38 in 2024 and T30 in 2022. Earlier in his career, he notched a T21 in 2015 and T31 in 2014 after missing the cut in his 2013 debut. With his game in a good place this season, Henley could be a dark horse to watch at Augusta.

Robert MacIntyre (+6000) – DraftKings

Robert MacIntyre has continued to elevate his game on the PGA TOUR following a breakout 2024 season that saw him win both the RBC Canadian Open and the Genesis Scottish Open. He opened his 2025 campaign with impressive consistency, notching three top 20 finishes in his first five starts, including a standout T6 at the WM Phoenix Open. After a brief stumble with a missed cut at the Genesis Invitational—his only one of the season so far—MacIntyre quickly rebounded with a T11 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a 9th-place finish at THE PLAYERS Championship. He kept that momentum going overseas, finishing T9 in his most recent start at the Porsche Singapore Classic.

Though MacIntyre has only made two appearances at Augusta National, he’s made the most of them. He impressed with a T21 finish in his Masters debut in 2021 and followed it up with a T23 in 2022, signaling that the course suits his game well. As he heads into the 2025 Masters in solid form, MacIntyre looks poised to contend on golf’s biggest stage.

Top 20

Patrick Cantlay (+110) – BetMGM

Patrick Cantlay closed out the 2024 PGA TOUR season with a strong stretch of form, recording six top-20 finishes across his final seven starts. He carried that momentum into 2025 with a solid opening run, notching three top-15 finishes in his first four appearances. Among those early highlights were T5 finishes at both The American Express and The Genesis Invitational, showcasing his trademark consistency. More recently, Cantlay has continued to play steady golf, finishing no worse than T33 in each of his last three starts as he builds toward peak form for the majors.

Cantlay’s history at Augusta National is extensive and dates back to 2012, when he made his Masters debut as an amateur. Since then, he’s made seven additional appearances as a professional. While his first pro start in 2018 resulted in a missed cut, he bounced back the following year with a T9 finish in 2019 and added a T17 in 2020. His 2021 and 2022 appearances were less successful, missing the cut and finishing T39, respectively. However, Cantlay has found more consistency in recent editions, placing T14 in 2023 and T22 in 2024. As he returns in 2025, he brings both experience and form, hoping to contend for his first green jacket.

Corey Conners (+160) – BetMGM

Corey Conners opened the 2025 PGA TOUR season with a strong showing at The Sentry, finishing T5 and signaling a promising start. However, the Canadian quickly ran into a rough patch, missing the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii and struggling with finishes of T65 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and T74 at the WM Phoenix Open. His fortunes began to shift at The Genesis Invitational, where a T24 finish helped build momentum. Since then, Conners has been on an impressive run, posting four consecutive top-20 finishes, including three top-10s. His best result of the season came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he placed 3rd and flashed the form that has made him a consistent contender.

Conners has a long-standing relationship with Augusta National, beginning with his Masters debut in 2015 as an amateur. As a professional, he’s made six starts at the tournament, highlighted by an excellent stretch from 2020 to 2022. During that span, he finished T10, T8, and T6, respectively, establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers at the Masters during that period. His more recent appearances have been less successful, with a missed cut in 2023 and a T38 in 2024. Still, given his current form and strong track record at Augusta, Conners arrives at the 2025 Masters as a legitimate dark horse to watch.

Patrick Reed (+175) – BetMGM

Patrick Reed opened his 2025 campaign with a solid stretch on the DP World Tour, notching a T10 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and a T8 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. However, he lost some momentum at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, where he finished T60. As the LIV Golf season got underway, Reed struggled to find his footing, finishing outside the top 30 in his first three events.

That trend shifted at LIV Hong Kong, where he posted a T10 finish, signaling a return to form. He followed that up with a T25 at LIV Singapore before gaining steam with a runner-up performance at the International Series Macau on the Asian Tour. Most recently, Reed finished T7 at LIV Miami, delivering back-to-back strong showings and entering Masters week with renewed confidence.

Reed is no stranger to Augusta National, having made eleven career appearances at the Masters. His early results were underwhelming, missing the cut twice in his first four starts and failing to break into the top 40. That changed dramatically in 2018, when he captured his first and only green jacket. Since that breakthrough win, Reed has become a consistent performer at Augusta, tallying four top-15 finishes in his last six starts. He hasn’t placed worse than T36 in that span, including a T4 in 2023 and T12 in 2024, proving his comfort and reliability at one of golf’s most demanding venues.

Nationality Prop

Top Dane: Nicolai Hojgaard (-125) over Rasmus Hojgaard – BetMGM

Only two Danes are in the field for the 2025 Masters, and fittingly, they’re twin brothers—Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard. Nicolai earned one of the two special invitations to Augusta this year, while Rasmus qualified with his top-50 finish in the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of 2024. This will be Nicolai’s second Masters appearance after an impressive debut last year, where he briefly held the lead during the third round before ultimately finishing T16. Rasmus, on the other hand, will be making his Masters debut this week.

Nicolai’s 2025 campaign has been up and down. He opened the season with a T24 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and notched his best result of the year with a solo 8th at the Mexico Open. He’s also put together a couple of solid showings including a T36 at the WM Phoenix Open and a T18 at the Cognizant Classic. However, the last few weeks haven’t been as sharp, with missed cuts at Valspar, THE PLAYERS, and the Houston Open raising some concerns.

Rasmus has followed a similar path. He got off to a strong start on the DP World Tour with a T14 in Dubai and added top-25 finishes at Pebble Beach (T22) and Phoenix (T12). But since then, his form has dipped—missing three of his next four cuts before finishing T32 in Houston.

While both players are trying to regain their footing, Nicolai gets the edge in this matchup. He’s played Augusta National before, which can’t be overstated at a course where experience often plays a major role. Add in slightly better form early in the year and stronger statistical trends heading into the week, and Nicolai looks like the sharper play over his brother in this unique sibling showdown.

Tournament Matchups

• J.J. Spaun (-125) over Matt Fitzpatrick – FanDuel

Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.