Apr 7, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Xander Schauffele tees off on no. 4 during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
In my last column I compared The Masters to golf church, but let’s not get too religious.
It is still golf and part of the fun, at least for me, is gambling on golf. Because The Masters is the most consistent major, finding trends and picking winners should be easier than most tournaments. While there is never a sure thing in gambling, there are trends of which can be taken advantage.
This year feels much more wide open than the last several years. Over the last four years The Masters has had heavy favorites coming to Augusta in great form. This year everyone has lots of questions and reasons to and not to believe.
Scottie Scheffler (+485 at Draft Kings…yes I’m a DK guy) - is still the best player on the board but he hasn’t been playing like the best so far this season.
However, even when he is off his game he still consistently finishes in the Top 10, although his finish of 24th at The Players Championship last month was uncharacteristic.
The big news for Scheffler is the birth of his son Remy. While it is good to know the Schefflers love Ratatoille as much as I did, it won’t help him win. He hasn’t played a round of golf in over three weeks. Only two of the last 20 winners, and none of the last 11 had more than one week off before the Masters. With odds that low and his game uncertain I will pass on Scheffler this year.
Rory McIlroy (+1150) - took us on the ultimate golf rollercoaster ride last year enroute to his win and completion of the career grand slam. McIlroy is coming off withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Classic a month ago with a bad back.
Also, it is very difficult to defend your title at Augusta. The last player to repeat was Tiger Woods in 2002 and even more ominously only three defending champs have finished in the Top 10 since 2007.
In honor of Masters week being 8 days away, here’s the most important up and down of Rory’s life from last year’s final roundpic.twitter.com/6hxmBZJHhz
Even an even money bet for a Top 10 finish from McIlroy is not appealing to me.
What is appealing? Well here are my best bets for this years Masters:
Justin Rose to finish Top 20 (+116) - If there is one guy who has the experience and course knowledge and history it is Justin Rose. Yes, he has missed some cuts this season, but he also won the Farmers Insurance Classic lapping the field.
Rose is only one of two players to ever lose two Masters playoffs (Ben Hogan was the other). Rose has also led or co-led 11 rounds at the Masters, the most by a non-winner. The next closest player to do this has led six times. Point is consistently good on this course so I’ll take plus money on a Top 20 finish.
Matt Fitzpatrick to finish Top 5 (+390) - It could be argued that Fitzpatrick is the hottest player on tour right now. Fitz is coming off a victory at the Valspar Invitational three weeks ago, but more impressive is that in his last 23 starts he has been Top 10 in half of those starts. He also knows Augusta, making the last 10 cuts and finishing Top 10 in 2023. At 4 to 1 I’ll take a shot on Fitzy to finish Top 5.
Bryson DeChambeau to Win (+1075) - While it is difficult to assess players on the LIV Tour, DeChambeau has been playing very well of late and has won the last two LIV events.
He was the leader early Sunday afternoon last year and let it slip through his fingers on the back nine. He is no longer just a bomber at Augusta. His knowledge of the greens and his approach game could finally put him over the top this year.
Vijay Singh stopping his practice session to watch Bryson Dechambeau do speed training on the driving range is still one of my favorite Masters moments.
pic.twitter.com/VTcdWhLW63
Xander Schauffele to Win (+1800) - After a down year due to injury Xander appears to be back to 100% and when he is at 100% he wins majors. Schauffele has the best career scoring average at Augusta without a win.
It is only a matter of time he wears a green jacket and this feels like his time.
Ludvig Aberg to Win (+1650) - You are allowed to bet on multiple players to win, it’s called hedging.
But for a collapse on the back nine at The Players last month, Aberg’ narrative would be vastly different. He is at the top of his game now and his short history at Augusta is impressive with two Top 10’s in his only starts.
Six of the last ten winners at Augusta have been in their 20’s and of the three golfers I like to win he is the only one under 30.
Ed Levine writes regularly about golf for the Fideri News Network, including OnPattison.com, primarily at the local level, but also muses about the national events and the pro tours.
