The time is upon us ladies and gentlemen.
I’ll save the usual spiel about Magnolia Lane and Azaleas and Green Jackets and Champions Dinners because the story will unfold organically and beautifully as it always does, when the golfing world descends on Georgia and the crisp tones of Jim Nantz reach our eardrums. Slowly, inexorably and collectively, we all rise from the cocoon of winter golf in line with Masters week.
I wasn’t on Rory last year but all the signs pointed to him, save for 14 years of pain and suffering. He had won twice before The Masters, with the Players Championship among them. He fits all the relevant ball speed and driver apex & distance criteria, and the form was good. Hence, I will be using similar criteria for my picks in 2026.
The usual characteristics of a Masters winner are some form of decent major experience in the prior year (Top 15 or better), a reasonable record around there and a solid tee to green game. You can unpick further than that but it boils down to the above.
Ones to watch:
Cam Young 22/1
Young won The Players with a clutch finish, and actuslly has Six Top-10s in Majors. You could argue he is due. T7 and T9 in ‘23 and ‘24 before an uncharacteristic MC in 2025. Odds are way too short but worth a punt.
Tommy Fleetwood 22/1
Fleetwood has been on the periphery of the major circle for a long time, and needs to get one over the line before too long. T3 here in 2024. T16 at the Open last year. Three top 10s in 2026 already. You could say trending.
Rob MacIntyre 30/1
Annoyingly I wrote Bob Mac and Aberg a week ago and now it seems obvious as they are top of the tree at the Valero Texas Open. Bobby always puts in a shift at Augusta. 2nd at The US Open last year and T7 at The Open in Portrush, he also has a T12 in 2021 here. Two top 5s in 2026 already, coming into peak form at the right time. Odds way too low but snuck in at 45/1 last week.
Outside chances:
Adam Scott 80/1
Adam Scott would be looking at a Tiger-esque gap between majors, thirteen years on from his green jacket. He has been playing very well, has the record here and again fits the profile with a T12 in the US Open last year, a 4th and a T11 in 2026.
Akshay Bhatia 55/1
Lefties do well at Augusta, Bhatia has the game and has a win this season already. Best finish of T35 in 2023 so no real record to speak of, but is in contention mor and
Official picks
We could stand here and pick Scheffler, Rahm and Bryson and maybe you should, they have short odds for a reason. Longer odds have historically not featured here, at least if the last few years are anything to go by.
For all the same reasons above, including last year’s major performance, Augusta record and current form - the below will be on the slip for 2026.
Patrick Reed (40/1)
No one wants to see it, but a previous Masters win and two wins in 2026 do turn the heads. Got in in early March.
Chris Gotterup (45/1)
Big play here. Two wins in 2026, a 3rd in the Open in 2025 - hasn’t missed the sweet spot since 2012. Can see him up there, maybe an FRL.
Ludvig Aberg (18/1)
Seems crazy short odds and dropping as we speak due to his perofrmance at the Valero, Aberg suits the green jacket and was right in the mix last year. He was in the driving seat at The Players and threw it away - so can see him recovering from that and bagging his first of many majors.
Bob MacIntyre (30/1)
I can just see him sneaking a birdie on 15 & 16 on the Sunday and hanging around for a playoff win. Loves the grind and he never gives up.
Drop some inspirational picks in whatever medium you use to contact me.
Pat
Going full Ludvig! I think he has the best chance. Hopefully he learned his lesson from the Players.