The Masters Tournament, the first major golf event of the year, is set to take place from Thursday to Sunday at Augusta National in Georgia.
Scottie Scheffler, the current champion, is favored to win again with odds of +475. Close behind are Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Jon Rahm.
Golf analysts are sharing their predictions for who will win, and betting experts are pointing out valuable betting opportunities as we approach the 2025 Masters.
Expert Picks to Win
Matt Barrie
Rory McIlroy: It`s his year to win.
Tory Barron
Brooks Koepka: Despite a less impressive performance at Augusta last year, Koepka is known for performing well in major championships. As a five-time major winner with a history of top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two runner-up finishes, he excels when expectations are lower. With attention focused on Scheffler and McIlroy, Koepka could secure a Masters victory, adding a green jacket to his achievements.
Editor`s Top Picks
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Jeff Darlington
Justin Thomas: Thomas has regained his confidence with several top-10 finishes recently, including a remarkable 62 at the Players Championship. This could be the perfect moment for him to win a major.
Michael Eaves
Rory McIlroy: McIlroy is potentially playing the best golf of his career, supported by his impressive stats. With wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, he`s the only golfer with multiple PGA Tour wins this year. Historically, the player with the most wins leading up to the Masters has won the green jacket for the past three years. This could be McIlroy`s chance to complete a career Grand Slam.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell
Scottie Scheffler: Although Scheffler`s season start might seem less dominant than usual, he has been consistently finishing in the top 10. It seems inevitable that he will win again soon, and Augusta, a course where he has won twice before, is a strong possibility.
Andy North
Collin Morikawa: Morikawa`s past Masters results are impressive: T3, T10, and 5th. He is in good form, with a near win at Bay Hill, and his iron play is excellent.
Laura Rutledge
Rory McIlroy: Rutledge is also picking McIlroy, believing he`s playing exceptionally well this season and has a stronger mental game than ever before, making him a favorite for a Masters victory and a career Grand Slam.
Mark Schlabach
Rory McIlroy: In his 11th attempt at Augusta, Schlabach predicts McIlroy will finally win the Masters, joining the elite group of golfers who have achieved a career Grand Slam. After a long wait for another major win, McIlroy enters the tournament in excellent form, with recent victories. Despite needing to overcome past challenges at Augusta, this could be his year.
Marty Smith
Rory McIlroy: Smith argues that McIlroy might be playing the best golf of his career and is the most complete player he has ever been. McIlroy`s confidence in his game and relaxed approach to the Masters, supported by his recent wins, suggest this could be his year to win the green jacket and achieve a career Grand Slam.
Curtis Strange
McIlroy and Scheffler in a playoff: Strange predicts a dramatic finish with McIlroy and Scheffler competing in a playoff.
Paolo Uggetti
Will Zalatoris: Zalatoris has an impressive early record at Augusta, with his worst finish being a tie for ninth in three starts. Having recovered from a back injury, he has the skill to win here.
Scott Van Pelt
Rory McIlroy: Van Pelt believes it`s simply McIlroy`s time to win, citing his current form, preparation, and overall timing.
David Wilson
Bryson DeChambeau: DeChambeau had a strong Masters round last year and went on to win the U.S. Open. Having learned from past experiences at Augusta, he might now be ready to win.
Betting Roundtable
Who is your pick to win?
David Gordon, ESPN Research
Winner: Morikawa (+1400)
Morikawa combines current form with past success at Augusta, similar to Jon Rahm before his Masters win in 2023. He leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained on approach and is accurate off the tee at Augusta. His consistent top-15 finishes in previous Masters rounds suggest a strong chance this year.
Tyler Fulghum, ESPN BET Live host
Winner: McIlroy (+600)
Fulghum believes it`s McIlroy`s year to win the green jacket after more than a decade of trying. With two wins already in 2025, McIlroy is ready. Fulghum suggests waiting until after Round 1 or 2 to potentially get better odds before betting on McIlroy.
2025 Masters Betting Odds
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +475 |
| Rory McIlroy | +625 |
| Collin Morikawa | 14-1 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 15-1 |
| Jon Rahm | 15-1 |
| Ludvig Åberg | 18-1 |
| Odds by ESPN BET | |
Pamela Maldonado, betting analyst
Winner: Morikawa (+1400)
Maldonado also picks Morikawa, noting his consistent improvement at Augusta. Morikawa`s precision and control are key for Augusta, and with favorable green conditions expected, this could be his year.
Anita Marks, ESPN betting analyst
Winner: McIlroy (+600)
Marks is betting on McIlroy, focusing on key stats like strokes gained tee to green, where McIlroy ranks high. Favorable weather conditions will also benefit McIlroy`s game, giving him an advantage on par 5s.
Who is your favorite bet to make the Top 10?
Gordon: Sepp Straka (+525)
Straka ranks in the Top 10 for both fairways hit and greens in regulation this season. With a win and two top-10 finishes this season, +525 odds are good for a player with his current form and past Masters experience.
Fulghum: Sergio Garcia (+600)
Despite playing on the LIV Tour, Garcia is in good form with multiple top finishes this year. He`s gained significant strokes tee-to-green in recent events, making him a good bet for a Top 10 finish.
Maldonado: Corey Conners (+800)
Conners is entering the Masters in excellent form, particularly tee-to-green. His history at Augusta includes three straight top 10s, and if his putting holds up, he`s a solid pick for a Top 10 finish.
Marks: Russell Henley (+380)
Henley, a Georgia native, has a strong track record at Augusta and is having a fantastic year, including a win at Bay Hill. Marks expects him to be near the top of the leaderboard.
What is your favorite Scottie Scheffler bet?
Fulghum: Top American golfer (+270)
Given Scheffler`s high odds to win outright, betting on him to be the top American golfer offers better value. It leverages his high probability of winning while excluding other top international players.
Gordon: To finish the first round Inside the top 10 (+162)
Gordon finds it hard to bet on Scheffler outright due to his odds. Betting on him to be in the top 10 after the first round is a good option, considering his consistent performance in past Masters opening rounds.
Maldonado: To finish the first round Inside the top 10 (+162)
Maldonado agrees with Gordon, highlighting Scheffler`s exceptional ball-striking and consistent high finishes, even with an inconsistent putter. Soft greens in the first round could further benefit his game.
Who are your favorite long shots/value bets (50-1 or longer)?
Gordon: Cameron Young (+17500)
Despite a poor start to the season, Young at 175-1 is a value bet. He was at 50-1 last year and has the potential to quickly improve his form.
Fulghum: Phil Mickelson (+10000)
Mickelson`s experience at Augusta makes him a worthwhile long shot bet. His odds of 100-to-1 undervalue his true chances, especially given his T2 finish at the Masters just two years ago.
Maldonado: Robert MacIntyre (+5500)
MacIntyre is trending upwards and has solid past performances at Augusta. His steady game and mental toughness make him a good long shot, especially for a Top 20 finish.
Are there any other bets that stand out to you?
Gordon: Russell Henley over Patrick Cantlay (Full tournament matchup: +100)
Gordon favors Henley in a head-to-head matchup against Cantlay, citing Henley`s strong season and consistent Masters performances compared to Cantlay`s less impressive Augusta record.
Fulghum: Max Homa to miss the cut (-115)
Fulghum is betting against Homa, who has been struggling recently, missing cuts in several consecutive events. He lacks confidence, making him a likely candidate to miss the cut at the Masters.
Maldonado: Tyrell Hatton to make the cut: No (+240)
Maldonado predicts Hatton will miss the cut, arguing that Augusta punishes aggressive play. Hatton`s reactive and sometimes volatile style, combined with recent inconsistencies in his tee-to-green and short game, make him a risk to struggle at Augusta.
Marks: Top American golfer — Collin Morikawa (+800)
Marks also likes Morikawa as the top American golfer, reiterating his strong tee-to-green game and past top-10 finishes at Augusta, believing he has the course knowledge to succeed.
