US Masters 2026 Betting Tips: Xander tops Jamie’s E/W Picks

It is the event that even casual golf fans tune into, it is the Masters Tournament at Augusta and the best players in the world are set to take on the famous course in the hope of winning that Green Jacket.

Our golf tipster Jamie Worsley is back with five more each-way picks this week, so let's check out his US Masters 2026 Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights...

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*You can bet on the tournament and check out the latest US Masters 2026 Odds over on betfred.com

Major season is upon us, ushering in the most significant stretch of the golfing calendar. From here, it's one men's major each month, with the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club (May 14-17), the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (June 18-21) and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club (July 16-19) all to come. 

But first, attention turns to arguably the most iconic of the four, as Augusta National Golf Club stages the 90th edition of The Masters this week, where another world-class field will be chasing that coveted Green Jacket. 

TOURNAMENT HISTORY 

The Masters was founded in 1934 and, thanks to its lifelong association with the iconic Augusta National Golf Club, has grown into the biggest tournament in golf. 

Horton Smith was the first ever Masters champion and he regained the title in 1936 to become number one of 18 multiple winners. 

Jack Nicklaus has donned the famous Green Jacket on a record six occasions, winning for the very first time as a 23-year-old in 1963. He added further victories in 1965, 1966, 1972 and 1975, before claiming his final trophy in 1986 at the age of 46, making him the oldest Masters winner in history. 

Tiger Woods is second on that all-time winners list with five. The first of these came in 1997, when he won by an incredible 12 strokes at 21-years-old – simultaneously becoming the youngest and most dominant champion at Augusta. He followed with wins in 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019. 

The esteemed roll of honour continues with Arnold Palmer, who picked up four wins (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964). Meanwhile, there have been five three-time winners: Jimmy Demaret (1940, 1947, 1950), Sam Snead (1949, 1952, 1954), Gary Player (1961, 1974, 1978), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990, 1996) and Phil Mickelson (2004, 2006, 2010). 

Last five winners: 

• 2025 

Winner: Rory McIlroy (-11, playoff) 

Runner-up: Justin Rose (-11) 

• 2024 

Winner: Scottie Scheffler (-11) 

Runner-up: Ludvig Aberg (-7) 

• 2023 

Winner: Jon Rahm (-12) 

Runners-up: Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson (-8) 

• 2022 

Winner: Scottie Scheffler (-10) 

Runner-up: Rory McIlroy (-7) 

• 2021 

Winner: Hideki Matsuyama (-10) 

Runner-up: Will Zalatoris (-9) 

After years of heartbreaking disappointment at Augusta, Rory McIlroy finally ended his long wait for a Green Jacket with an emotional Masters victory last year. Starting Sunday with a two-shot lead, Rory had to again battle his demons in a final round that ebbed and flowed, one in which he made inconceivable unforced errors but also produced one of the best shots we've ever seen at 15. 

As Rory was going through his own tribulations attempting to complete the Career Grand Slam (something only five men in the history of the game had done), Justin Rose produced a scintillating six-under 66 to set the clubhouse target at 11-under-par. With a bogey at the last from the Northern Irishman, the event went to extra holes. 

Rose, who has endured his own share of Masters frustration as a two-time runner-up, seemingly took control of the playoff, hitting his approach to 15ft. However, McIlroy had one more moment of magic left in him, hitting a laser-like iron to around 4ft, and as his Ryder Cup teammate's attempt slid by, he knocked in the birdie putt to secure his legacy as the player of his generation. 

THE COURSE 

Augusta National Golf Club 

• Original architect / Year opened: Alister MacKenzie in collaboration with event co-founder, Bobby Jones / 1933 

• Latest renovation: Several architects have tweaked with the layout over the years, including Tom Fazio, Perry Maxwell and Robert Trent Jones 

• Par / Yardage: Par 72 / 7,565 yards 

• Hole breakdown: 

• 4x par 3s (155-240 yards) 

• 10x par 4s (350-520 yards) 

• 4x par 5s (545-585 yards) 

• Course style: Majestic and severely rolling parkland course framed by towering pine trees and pine straw, featuring dramatic elevation changes throughout 

• Fairways: 

• The fairways are heavily undulating, extremely wide, and predominantly dogleg from right-to-left 

• They rank as the fourth-easiest to hit on the PGA Tour across the last five years 

• Although the fairways lack heavy rough, large and deep bunkers guard many landing areas 

• Despite the width of the fairways, players still need a strategic approach off the tee to create the best angles to attack the greens 

• Greens: 

• Large (6,486 sq. ft.) and speedy bentgrass greens, that slope from back-to-front and are often multi-tiered 

• Hitting these strongly contoured surfaces is only half the problem, you have to find the correct spots within the slopes to both set up birdie opportunities and limit the chance of three-putting 

• They're guarded by further punishing bunkering as well as shaved run-offs and false fronts, which send the ball tumbling into tightly-mown chipping areas. 

• It's into, on and around the greens where the main challenges lie. Augusta ranks inside the top five in approach, putting and around-the-greens difficulty in each of the last four seasons 

• Defences: 

• Water plays a huge role in the exciting finishing, coming into play on five of the last eight holes 

• Swirling winds can cause havoc down the stretch 

• Fairway bunkers are a true penalty, regularly requiring a chip out rather than allowing players to go for the green 

• The constant changes in elevation puts added pressure on selecting the correct club on approaches 

• Slick putting surfaces and their undulating surrounds creates one of the most demanding short-game tests in golf 

• Average winning score: -11.6 (last 10 editions) 

Nowhere in the world stirs memories and emotion quite like Augusta National. Every hole – given a unique plant-based name reflecting its character – is immediately recognisable, capable of whisking fans back to a specific moment in the tournament's rich history. 

There is simply no other tournament-course relationship that compares. From tee to green, Augusta National demands precision, imagination, and nerve – and I'm itching to see the world's best tackle this pristine layout once again. 

THE WEATHER 

It's forecast to be a pleasant week in Georgia, with sunshine and warm temperatures (reaching highs of at least 23°C each day) predicted throughout. We could see gusting 25mph winds on Thursday, but it's scheduled to be calmer for the rest of the week, when it will be left to this fearsome venue to defend itself. 

KEY STATS 

SG: Approach / Greens-in-Regulation (GIR) / Proximity from 150 yards+ 

Augusta National is a course that demands creativity and shot-making ability, all while testing every club in the bag. That said, it is approach play – especially from 150 yards+ – into these perplexing green complexes that stands out in importance at this second-shot course. 

• 2025 

• Rory McIlroy (Winner): 1st in SG: Approach / 16th in GIR 

• Justin Rose (2nd): 3rd in SG: Approach / 2nd in GIR 

• Patrick Reed (3rd): 12th in SG: Approach / 11th in GIR 

• 2024 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 14th in SG: Approach / 7th in GIR 

• Ludvig Aberg (2nd): 13th in SG: Approach 

• Tommy Fleetwood (3rd): 8th in SG: Approach / 7th in GIR 

• Max Homa (3rd):  7th in SG: Approach / 2nd in GIR 

• Collin Morikawa (3rd): 3rd in SG: Approach / 3rd in GIR 

• 2023 

• Jon Rahm (Winner): 6th in SG: Approach / 3rd in GIR 

• Brooks Koepka (2nd): 2nd in SG: Approach / 12th in GIR 

• Phil Mickelson (2nd): 7th in SG: Approach / 16th in GIR 

• 2022 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 6th in SG: Approach / 5th in GIR 

• Rory McIlroy (2nd): 13th in SG: Approach / 4th in GIR 

• Cameron Smith (3rd): 2nd in SG: Approach / 9th in GIR 

• 2021 

• Hideki Matsuyama (Winner): 4th in SG: Approach / 7th in GIR 

• Will Zalatoris (2nd): 9th in SG: Approach / 2nd in GIR 

• Jordan Spieth (3rd): 7th in SG: Approach / 1st in GIR 

SG: Around-the-Greens (SG: ATG) / Scrambling 

GIR numbers are low despite the size of the greens. With players required to chip from closely cut surrounds onto slippery, sloping putting surfaces, it's no surprise that top-class short-game players excel at Augusta. 

• 2025 

• Rory McIlroy (Winner): 10th in SG: ATG / 2nd scrambling 

• Patrick Reed (3rd): 6th in SG: ATG / 8th in scrambling 

• Scottie Scheffler (4th): 5th in SG: ATG 

• Bryson DeChambeau (5th): 1st in SG: ATG / 10th in scrambling 

• Sungjae Im (5th): 4th in SG: ATG 

• 2024 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 1st in SG: ATG / 8th in scrambling 

• Ludvig Aberg (2nd): 7th in scrambling 

• Tommy Fleetwood (3rd): 13th in SG: ATG / 12th in scrambling 

• 2023 

• Jon Rahm (Winner): 6th in SG: ATG / 2nd in scrambling 

• Brooks Koepka (2nd): 6th in scrambling 

• Russell Henley (4th): 1st in SG: ATG / 1st in scrambling 

• Patrick Reed (4th): 3rd in SG: ATG / 15th in scrambling 

• Jordan Spieth (4th): 7th in SG: ATG / 10th in scrambling 

• 2022 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 2nd in SG: ATG / 2nd in scrambling 

• Rory McIlroy (2nd): 1st in SG: ATG / 11th in scrambling 

• Shane Lowry (3rd): 4th in SG: ATG / 1st in scrambling 

• 2021 

• Hideki Matsuyama (Winner): 4th in SG: ATG / 6th in scrambling 

• Jordan Spieth (3rd): 1st in SG: ATG 

• Xander Schauffele (3rd): 3rd in SG: ATG / 13th in scrambling 

SG: Off-the-Tee (SG: OTT) / Driving Distance 

With the fairways cut in a way that limits roll-out, this already lengthy course plays even longer. This often places an emphasis on power, as well as quality, off the tee.  

• 2025 

• Rory McIlroy (Winner): 7th in SG: OTT / 1st in driving distance 

• Patrick Reed (3rd): 10th in SG: OTT 

• Bryson DeChambeau (5th): 2nd in SG: OTT / 6th in driving distance 

• 2024 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 2nd in SG: OTT / 7th in driving distance 

• Ludvig Aberg (2nd): 5th in SG: OTT / 3rd in driving distance 

• Tommy Fleetwood (3rd): 14th in SG: OTT 

• Max Homa (3rd): 14th in SG: OTT 

• 2023 

• Jon Rahm (Winner): 2nd in SG: OTT / 9th in driving distance 

• Phil Mickelson (2nd): 8th in SG: OTT 

• Brooks Koepka (2nd): 15th in SG: OTT / 7th in driving distance 

• 2022 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 9th in SG: OTT / 8th in driving distance 

• Rory McIlroy (2nd): 4th in SG: OTT / 2nd in driving distance 

• Shane Lowry (3rd): 1st in SG: OTT / 16th in driving distance 

• 2021 

• Will Zalatoris (2nd): 5th in SG: OTT / 11th in driving distance 

• Xander Schauffele (3rd): 8th in SG: OTT / 3rd in driving distance 

• Jordan Spieth (3rd): 9th in SG: OTT / 14th in driving distance 

• Jon Rahm (5th): 1st in SG: OTT / 1st in driving distance 

SG: Putting (bentgrass) 

Lastly, whilst tee-to-green play outweighs the putter, players who putt strongly on fast, undulating bentgrass greens are of obvious interest.  

• 2025 

• Justin Rose (2nd): 7th in SG: Putting 

• Scottie Scheffler (4th): 8th in SG: Putting 

• 2024 

• Ludvig Aberg (2nd): 1st in SG: Putting 

• Collin Morikawa (3rd): 7th in SG: Putting 

• Max Homa (3rd): 13th in SG: Putting 

• 2023 

• Phil Mickelson (2nd): 2nd in SG: Putting 

• Brooks Koepka (2nd): 4th in SG: Putting 

• Russell Henley (4th): 2nd in SG: Putting 

• 2022 

• Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 13th in SG: Putting 

• Shane Lowry (3rd): 4th in SG: Putting 

• Cameron Smith (3rd): 9th in SG: Putting 

• 2021 

• Will Zalatoris (2nd): 7th in SG: Putting 

CORRELATING EVENTS (COURSES) 

Memorial Tournament (Muirfield Village) 

No course can truly replicate the challenge that awaits at Augusta but there are many with similarities, none more so than Muirfield Village. 

The course features generous fairways and moderate elevation changes, but it compares particularly closely in around-the-greens and approach difficulty. Its speedy bentgrass greens are among the toughest to hit and scramble around, whilst the mid-to-long irons are key. 

Notable correlating form: 

• Jon Rahm: Masters (1st) / Memorial (1st) 

• Hideki Matsuyama: Masters (1st) / Memorial (1st) 

• Scottie Scheffler: Masters (1st, 1st) / Memorial (1st) 

• Mike Weir: Masters (1st) / Memorial (2nd) 

• Zach Johnson: Masters (1st) / Memorial (2nd) 

• Adam Scott: Masters (1st) / Memorial (2nd) 

• Bubba Watson: Masters (1st, 1st) / Memorial (3rd) 

• Jordan Spieth: Masters (1st) / Memorial (3rd) 

• Scottie Scheffler: Masters (1st) / Memorial (3rd) 

• Dustin Johnson: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Memorial (3rd, 4th) 

• Justin Rose: Masters (2nd, 2nd, 2nd) / Memorial (1st, 2nd, 2nd) 

• Rickie Fowler: Masters (2nd, 5th) / Memorial (2nd, 2nd) 

• Ludvig Aberg: Masters (2nd) / Memorial (5th) 

• Collin Morikawa: Masters (3rd, 5th) / Memorial (1st, 2nd, 2nd) 

• Matt Kuchar: Masters (3rd, 4th, 5th) / Memorial (1st, 2nd) 

• Marc Leishman: Masters (4th, 5th) / Memorial (5th, 5th) 

• Russell Henley: Masters (4th) / Memorial (5th, 6th) 

• Bryson DeChambeau: Masters (5th, 6th) / Memorial (1st) 

Arnold Palmer Invitational (Bay Hill) 

Despite not showcasing the same dramatic undulating of Augusta National, Bay Hill has produced mounds of eye-catching crossover form. This is due to the demands it places on iron play, matching this week's host in approach difficulty, GIR averages, and emphasising quality from 175 yards and above.  

Notable correlating form: 

• Scottie Scheffler: Masters (1st, 1st) / API (1st, 1st) 

• Rory McIlroy: Masters (1st, 2nd) / API (1st, 2nd) 

• Adam Scott: Masters (1st) / API (3rd) 

• Zach Johnson: Masters (1st) / API (3rd, 5th) 

• Jason Day: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / API (1st) 

• Lee Westwood: Masters (2nd, 2nd, 3rd) / API (2nd, 5th) 

• Justin Rose: Masters (2nd, 2nd, 2nd) / API (2nd, 3rd, 3rd) 

• Sungjae Im: Masters (2nd, 5th) / API (3rd, 3rd) 

• Rickie Fowler: Masters (2nd, 5th) / API (3rd) 

• Ludvig Aberg: Masters (2nd) / API (3rd) 

• Will Zalatoris: Masters (2nd) / API (4th) 

• Collin Morikawa: Masters (3rd, 5th) / API (2nd, 2nd) 

• Tommy Fleetwood: Masters (3rd) / API (3rd) 

• Marc Leishman: Masters (4th, 5th) / API (1st, 2nd, 3rd) 

• Russell Henley: Masters (4th) / API (1st, 4th) 

• Bryson DeChambeau: Masters (5th, 6th) / API (1st, 2nd) 

• Henrik Stenson: Masters (5th) / API (2nd, 3rd) 

• Corey Conners: Masters (6th, 8th) / API (3rd, 3rd) 

• Cameron Young: Masters (7th, 9th) / API (3rd) 

Truist Championship / 2017 & 2025 PGA Championship (Quail Hollow) 

Quail Hollow is less spacious off the tee, but many aspects of play mirror what players will face this week. It is an undulating and lengthy championship course, with frequent elevation changes, smartly bunkered fairways, and large, sloping greens that can be tamed with the long irons. 

Notable correlating form: 

• Rory McIlroy: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Quail Hollow (1st, 1st, 1st, 1st) 

• Scottie Scheffler: Masters (1st, 1st) / Quail Hollow (1st) 

• Patrick Reed: Masters (1st, 3rd, 4th) / Quail Hollow (2nd) 

• Sergio Garcia: Masters (1st) / Quail Hollow (2nd) 

• Bubba Watson: Masters (1st, 1st) / Quail Hollow (2nd) 

• Trevor Immelman: Masters (1st) / Quail Hollow (2nd) 

• Jason Day: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / Quail Hollow (1st) 

• Rickie Fowler: Masters (2nd, 5th) / Quail Hollow (1st) 

• Louis Oosthuizen: Masters (2nd) / Quail Hollow (2nd) 

• Xander Schauffele: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / Quail Hollow (2nd, 2nd) 

• Justin Rose: Masters (2nd, 2nd, 2nd) / Quail Hollow (3rd, 3rd) 

• Sungjae Im: Masters (2nd, 5th) / Quail Hollow (4th) 

• Max Homa: Masters (3rd) / Quail Hollow (1st) 

• Tommy Fleetwood: Masters (3rd) / Quail Hollow (5th) 

• Bryson DeChambeau: Masters (5th, 6th) / Quail Hollow (2nd, 4th) 

Genesis Invitational (Riviera Country Club) 

Riviera's nuanced test is one at which creative types typically thrive, helping it develop notable form ties with Augusta National. It has moderate changes in elevation, which is especially pertinent as players try to crack the tricky sloping greens with their mid-to-long irons.  

Notable correlating form: 

• Jon Rahm: Masters (1st) / Genesis (1st) 

• Hideki Matsuyama: Masters (1st) / Genesis (1st) 

• Dustin Johnson: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Genesis (1st, 2nd, 2nd) 

• Bubba Watson: Masters (1st, 1st) / Genesis (1st, 1st, 1st) 

• Adam Scott: Masters (1st) / Genesis (1st, 1st) 

• Mike Weir: Masters (1st) / Genesis (1st, 1st) 

• Charl Schwartzel: Masters (1st) / Genesis (3rd, 5th) 

• Will Zalatoris: Masters (2nd) / Genesis (2nd, 4th) 

• Cameron Smith: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / Genesis (4th, 6th) 

• Max Homa: Masters (3rd) / Genesis (1st, 2nd) 

• Collin Morikawa: Masters (3rd, 5th) / Genesis (2nd) 

• Matt Kuchar: Masters (3rd, 4th, 5th) / Genesis (2nd) 

• Marc Leishman: Masters (4th, 5th) / Genesis (4th, 5th) 

• Tony Finau: Masters (5th) / Genesis (2nd, 2nd) 

• Paul Casey: Masters (4th, 6th, 6th, 6th) / Genesis (2nd) 

• Cameron Young: Masters (7th, 9th) / Genesis (2nd) 

2020 & 2023 BMW Championship (Olympia Fields) 

Olympia Fields' North Course is a hilly layout with quick bentgrass greens. Judging distance control with the mid-to-long irons is challenging due to changes in elevation, whilst there is plenty of short grass around the putting surfaces to test those scrambling skills. 

Notable correlating form: 

• Jon Rahm: Masters (1st) / Olympia Fields (1st) 

• Scottie Scheffler: Masters (1st) / Olympia Fields (2nd) 

• Dustin Johnson: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Olympia Fields (2nd) 

• Hideki Matsuyama: Masters (1st) / Olympia Fields (3rd) 

• Rory McIlroy: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Olympia Fields (4th) 

• Max Homa: Masters (3rd) / Olympia Fields (5th) 

• Tony Finau: Masters (5th) / Olympia Fields (5th) 

2024 & 2014 U.S. Open (Pinehurst No. 2) 

I have two iconic major championship venues to finish, first of which is Pinehurst No. 2. Although it lacks the undulation of Augusta National, it shares many other striking characteristics. 

The generous fairways are simple to find but the large, speedy and well contoured greens less so. They are littered with shaved run-offs, leading into tightly-mown collection areas which provided the toughest around-the-green challenge on tour in 2024 (one place ahead of Augusta). In addition, it's a place where the wedges count for little, with 77% of approaches coming from 150 yards+ two years ago. 

Notable correlating form: 

• Rory McIlroy: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Pinehurst (2nd) 

• Dustin Johnson: Masters (1st, 2nd) / Pinehurst (4th) 

• Hideki Matsuyama: Masters (1st) / Pinehurst (6th) 

• Rickie Fowler: Masters (2nd, 5th) / Pinehurst (2nd) 

• Brooks Koepka: Masters (2nd, 2nd) / Pinehurst (4th) 

• Jason Day: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / Pinehurst (4th) 

• Russell Henley: Masters (4th) / Pinehurst (7th) 

• Bryson DeChambeau: Masters (5th, 6th) / Pinehurst (1st) 

• Tony Finau: Masters (5th) / Pinehurst (3rd) 

• Henrik Stenson: Masters (5th) / Pinehurst (4th) 

2022, 2015 & 2010 Open Championship (St Andrews – Old Course) 

The Old Course at St Andrews has always had close ties to The Masters. As a course with wide fairways, undulating putting surfaces and greenside surrounds that pose a similarly demanding short-game test, it's easy to see why. 

Notable correlating form: 

• Zach Johnson: Masters (1st) / St Andrews (1st) 

• Rory McIlroy: Masters (1st, 2nd) / St Andrews (3rd, 3rd) 

• Jordan Spieth: Masters (1st, 2nd, 2nd) / St Andrews (4th, 8th) 

• Louis Oosthuizen: Masters (2nd) / St Andrews (1st, 2nd) 

• Cameron Smith: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / St Andrews (1st) 

• Lee Westwood: Masters (2nd, 2nd, 3rd) / St Andrews (2nd) 

• Jason Day: Masters (2nd, 3rd) / St Andrews (4th) 

• Tommy Fleetwood: Masters (3rd) / St Andrews (4th) 

• Marc Leishman: Masters (4th, 5th) / St Andrews (2nd) 

• Henrik Stenson: Masters (5th) / St Andrews (3rd) 

• Cameron Young: Masters (7th, 9th) / St Andrews (2nd) 

TOURNAMENT TRENDS (2016-2025) 

• Each of the last 10 champions had previously made a cut at Augusta; nine had recorded a top 25; and seven had hit the top five 

• Every winner since 2016 had produced a top-six major performance; eight of them have finished inside the top two 

• Eight of the previous 10 Masters champions had a top 20 during their last three appearances; seven had a top 10; and six had a top three 

• Nobody arrived after missing the cut on their latest start 

• Seven of the 10 most recent winners recorded a prior win in that calendar year  

• Nine already had multiple PGA Tour wins to their name 

• Each of those latest champions played in the two weeks before The Masters 

• Lastly, debutants continue to find the Green Jacket elusive; 1979 winner Fuzzy Zoeller is still the most recent first-timer to win at Augusta 

THE FIELD 

The top 50 players in the world come together for the first time in 2026 and they are still headed by two-time Masters winner Scottie Scheffler, returning to action after the birth of his second child. 

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy will enjoy a special week as the long-awaited defending champion. He and Scheffler are joined by a further 16 former winners: Jon Rahm (2023), Hideki Matsuyama (2021), Dustin Johnson (2020), Patrick Reed (2018), Sergio Garcia (2017), Danny Willett (2016), Jordan Spieth (2015), Bubba Watson (2014, 2012), Adam Scott (2013), Charl Schwartzel (2011), Angel Cabrera (2009), Zach Johnson (2007), Mike Weir (2003), Vijay Singh (2000), Jose Maria Olazabal (1999, 1994), and Fred Couples (1992). 

There are also 22 debutants teeing it up on these hallowed grounds. World No. 9 Chris Gotterup is no doubt the standout of these, whilst recent PGA Tour breakthrough winner Jacob Bridgeman will also hope to make a splash. As will South African youngster Casey Jarvis, who has been in scintillating form on the DP World Tour in 2026. 

Meanwhile, from the amateur ranks, we have both the reigning U.S. Amateur winner Mason Howell and Amateur Championship winner Ethan Fang in attendance.  

SELECTIONS 

Market leaders: Scottie Scheffler 11/2, Bryson DeChambeau 11/1, Jon Rahm 11/1, Rory McIlroy 12/1, Ludvig Aberg 14/1, Xander Schauffele 16/1, Cameron Young 18/1 

This year's Masters Tournament has a more open feel than many in recent memory. Four of the top five in the betting haven't played in three weeks and there are question marks attached to the form of each.  

Scottie Scheffler hasn't quite been at his indomitable best this year (crazy to say about a player who hasn't finished outside the top 25), whilst Rory McIlroy's prep has been less than ideal due to a back injury.  

As for the big two from LIV – Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm – both have been in excellent form on that circuit, though a birdie-fest in South Africa three weeks prior to heading to Augusta doesn't feel like the perfect build up. 

Of course, any of these world-class talents could overcome these minor concerns to walk away with the Green Jacket, but at the prices, they're not great value to do so. 

This leads me to search outside the very top market leaders. However, I'm not going to stray too far for my first selection, as I'm taking current sixth-favourite in the betting Xander Schauffele to win the third leg of the Grand Slam this week. 

Xander Schauffele 

I put Xander up to win last year's Masters despite a hampered run up to the event – having only just returned from injury – and he did little wrong to record an 8th-place finish. Arriving off the back of two top-five finishes, his game is in much better shape this year, he looks the pick among the main contenders. 

After his excellent double major-winning 2024 campaign, Schauffele's 2025 season was hindered by a rib injury at the beginning of the year. He played solidly enough upon his return, recording top-10s at Augusta and in The Open, but he struggled to reach the heights of the previous year. 

The American did end 2025 with a victory at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan and though looking a little off the pace at the beginning of 2026, he has hit the top 25 in each of his last five appearances. He's been especially good on his latest starts, finishing 3rd at THE PLAYERS Championship and 4th at the Valspar Championship, and whilst I'd have preferred him to have played in the last two weeks, it does feel like we could be in for a trend-busting Masters edition. 

Almost every area of his game has been upgraded this year, but it's been particularly pleasing to see him regain control of the driver, jumping from 91st in SG: OTT in 2025 to 32nd in 2026. He's also 14th in SG: Approach – excelling with the mid-to-long irons – and as the sixth-best scrambler on tour who is also inside the top 40 in SG: Putting, his all-round game is closer to pre-2025 levels. 

This strength throughout the bag makes Xander a superb fit and with five top-10s across eight Augusta appearances – including finishes of 2nd in 2019 and 3rd in 2021 – this opinion stacks up. He's also got two runner-up finishes at Quail Hollow, was 7th at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, and with his major credentials evident from wins at the 2024 Open Championship and PGA Championship, he looks every inch a Masters champion. 

Hideki Matsuyama 

The 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama has made a notably consistent start to the season, where he's increased the gains he made with the putter in 2025. He produced a season's best ball-striking display at the Texas Open last week and though coming in a little under the radar, he looks primed to contend for a second Green Jacket. 

Hideki kicked off the year with four straight top-15 finishes, going especially close when finishing 2nd at the Phoenix Open. His form slipped a little following an 8th-place finish at Pebble Beach, but positives have remained easy to find. 

His 21st-place finish at the Texas Open was engineered by the long game, ranking 3rd in SG: OTT, 4th in SG: Ball Striking, 7th in GIR and 9th in SG: Approach. The driver was especially encouraging considering he's been unreliable with the club this year. 

Every other part of his game has been in form throughout the season. He's the top-ranked scrambler on tour, sits 15th in SG: Approach, and is thriving with the long irons, ranking 1st from 200 yards+ and 14th from 175-200 yards. Alongside his top-50 ranking in SG: Putting, his skillset is tailormade for Augusta. 

Hideki has only missed one cut in 13 Masters appearances, accompanying his 2021 victory with finishes of 5th in 2015 and 7th in 2016. With wins at Riviera and Muirfield Village, as well as strong performances at Olympia Fields, Quail Hollow and Pinehurst, he has form in all the right places and is well-placed to add his name to that illustrious list of multiple winners. 

Min Woo Lee 

Given his length and fabulous short game, Min Woo Lee has always looked a strong fit for Augusta and has shown promise across his four starts. His irons have been the missing piece of the puzzle, but he's hitting them better than ever in 2026 and after enjoying an excellent warm-up in Houston two weeks ago, this talented Aussie can turn that promise into a genuine run at contention this week. 

Making each of his seven cuts and recording four top-15s, Min Woo has barely put a foot wrong in 2026. His most eye-catching display came at Pebble Beach, where he narrowly finished 2nd to Collin Morikawa, and he arrives here after finishes of 3rd at the Houston Open and 6th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational over his last three starts. 

He's been irresistible with the driver, ranking 7th in SG: OTT, 13th in driving distance and 31st in driving accuracy. Meanwhile, that elite short game is thriving once again, sitting inside the top 30 in SG: ATG and SG: Putting. However, it's the irons that are really grabbing the attention, progressing from ranking 139th and 166th in SG: Approach in the two previous seasons to 50th this. 

Now possessing a tantalising all-round profile, Min Woo can build on his two top-25s here (14th in 2022 and 22nd in 2024) and set a new major championship best, improving on his 5th-place finish at the 2023 U.S. Open. 

Adam Scott 

I'm going to stay Down Under, and I just wonder if Adam Scott can follow in the footsteps of fellow elder statesman Justin Rose and contend at the Masters at this stage of his career. He's producing some of his best ball striking in around a decade in 2026 and as a former Masters champion, he knows what it takes to succeed around this famed layout. 

Scott impressed in his home country at the end of 2025, finishing 5th at the Australian Open and 7th at the Australian PGA Championship. He's carried that level of form into this year, making each of seven cuts on the PGA Tour and has recorded four top-25s, shining at another former happy hunting ground, Riviera, where he finished 4th. 

His iron play has been phenomenal, ranking 3rd in SG: Approach, and he's particularly dialled in the distances that matter most around here, sitting 2nd from 150-175 yards, 3rd from 175-200 yards, and 5th from 200 yards+. Top-25 rankings in GIR and scrambling are further plusses and, showing no signs of relinquishing his driving power, the game is in great shape to tackle exacting examination. 

Scott finished 2nd at Augusta in 2011 and followed up with that playoff victory over Angel Cabrera just two years later. It's been almost 10 years since his latest top-10 (9th in 2017), but with his ability to still perform on these venues evident from that 4th-place finish at the Genesis Invitational – an event that he won in 2005 and 2020 – the current state of his game makes me confident that he can threaten the top this week. 

Kurt Kitayama 

I think this renewal is open to a surprise contender and Kurt Kitayama could be just that man. He's consistently ranked among the top ball strikers on tour in recent years, and as a player with some handy comp form who caught the eye here in 2024, I'm taking a chance on him at huge odds. 

Kitayama enjoyed a strong finish to 2025, grabbing a second PGA Tour title at the 3M Open. Results have been a touch inconsistent at the beginning of this year, but he has three top-25s, which includes an especially promising runner-up finish at the Genesis Invitational, where he closed with a seven-under 64 to end just one-shot shy of winner Jacob Bridgeman. 

He has ranked 10th and 32nd on tour in SG: Approach in the last two years and it's been more of the same in 2026, ranking 11th. Currently placed 10th from 150-175 yards and 16th from 175-200, it's the mid-to-long irons with which he excels. When added to rankings of 7th in GIR and 10th in scrambling, this powerful yet increasingly more accurate player ticks many of the tee-to-green boxes. 

Kitayama missed the cut by some distance on his Masters debut in 2023 but stepped it up significantly the following year, finishing 35th. In fact, he was 15th at the halfway point there, and while a torrid 82 in round three put paid to chances of a higher finish, he bounced back immediately with a 68 on Sunday – the second-best score of that final round. 

With a victory at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational strengthening his comp form alongside his runner-up finish at Riviera back in February, I'm optimistic he can mix it at the top of the leaderboard this week.