AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, will not participate in the 89th Masters as he recovers from a ruptured left Achilles tendon. However, the tournament remains compelling as the world`s best golfers gather at Augusta National Golf Club this week.
Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1 globally, aims to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to secure three green jackets within four years. Achieving this would also make him only the fourth golfer in Masters history to win consecutively, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods.
Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2 worldwide, enters the first major of the season possibly in better form than Scheffler. McIlroy is seeking to become the sixth golfer in the Masters era to achieve a career Grand Slam by winning a green jacket. This marks his 11th attempt, as he looks to end a major championship drought spanning over a decade.
These are not the only captivating narratives for what is expected to be a dramatic week at Augusta National. For the first time in eight months, top golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League will compete in the same tournament field.
`This week is the most cherished by all of us,` stated Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner. `It marks the beginning of the major championship series. History is consistently made here.`
Here’s an overview of the 96 golfers participating, categorized from potential winners to those aiming to make the cut.
Tier I: The Clear Favorites
While a showdown between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy is highly anticipated, golfers like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are also strong contenders for a Sunday victory. These are the golfers with the highest chances of winning a green jacket this Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler
After missing the season`s first month due to a right-hand injury, the world No. 1 golfer is regaining momentum. He achieved a second-place tie at the Texas Children`s Houston Open, finishing one stroke behind Min Woo Lee. Scheffler excels in putting and approach shots. Despite seeking his first win of the season, he remains a top pick, having won two of the last three Masters.
Rory McIlroy
It feels crucial for McIlroy to secure a green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam. With two pre-April victories against strong fields, he is playing exceptionally well. As Scheffler and Schauffele recover from injuries, McIlroy could be the player to beat at Augusta National. Despite his form, he was refining his driver and managing a sore elbow in his last Houston appearance.
Collin Morikawa
As noted by Kyle Porter, recent Masters champions have shown strong tee-to-green performance in the months leading up to the tournament. Morikawa leads in this statistic. While his last win was in October 2023, a victory seems imminent. He was briefly tied for the lead in the 2024 final round but finished third after double-bogeys.
Jon Rahm
The 2023 Masters champion faced questions about his competitiveness in majors after moving to the LIV Golf League, especially after a 45th place finish in his title defense. However, a seventh-place finish at The Open addressed these concerns. Rahm had a successful first LIV Golf season and strong finishes early this season. He has a history of top-10 finishes at Augusta National.
Ludvig Åberg
Åberg quickly adapted to professional golf. In his Masters debut last year, he finished second, four strokes behind Scheffler. He contended for a first-time Masters win until a water hazard on No. 11 shifted momentum to Scheffler. Åberg secured a PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational in February but had mixed results afterward. His approach and putting stats have recently declined.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau seems to have overcome past criticisms regarding Augusta National. Last year, he led after the first round with a 65 but finished lower in subsequent rounds. He tied for sixth, marking his best Masters performance.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele achieved his first major victories last year and has consistently performed well at the Masters, with multiple top-10 finishes. Recovering from a rib injury, he may still be regaining peak form. He recently finished 12th at the Valspar Championship, showing strong approach play.
Brooks Koepka
As a five-time major champion, Koepka is expected to be a contender at Augusta National, with several top-10 finishes. In 2023, he held a lead but lost to Rahm. Koepka admitted to wanting the green jacket too much, affecting his performance.
Tier II: The Contenders
Beyond the top favorites, these golfers are legitimate contenders with the skill and composure needed for Augusta`s challenges.
Justin Thomas
Thomas recently came close to his first PGA Tour win in years at the Valspar Championship, finishing second. With multiple top-10s this season, he`s showing improved form. Despite past Masters cuts, he has the potential to contend.
Cameron Smith
Smith has been relatively low-profile but tied for sixth at the 2024 Masters. He has a strong record at Augusta National with multiple top-10 finishes.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 in 2024, tying for third. He has consistently placed in the top 25 in tour starts this season.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has performed well on the DP World Tour, with numerous top-10s. He improved his Masters record by tying for ninth in 2024, though he expressed frustration with the 15th hole.
Jordan Spieth
Approaching the anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth shows signs of resurgence after wrist surgery. Despite recent Masters cuts, he has a history of strong finishes at Augusta.
Joaquín Niemann
Niemann, a multiple-time winner globally, seeks his first major top-10. He has had decent finishes in recent Masters appearances and has won twice in the LIV Golf League this season.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion won early in the season but has struggled with driving accuracy in 2025.
Russell Henley
Henley, with local Georgia ties, recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has previously performed well at the Masters.
Sepp Straka
Straka has shown consistent improvement at Augusta National and is coming off a tour win at the American Express.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland recently won the Valspar Championship, raising questions whether this win signals a return to top form.
Min Woo Lee
Lee recently won the Houston Open, his first PGA Tour victory, defeating Scheffler. He has had top-25 finishes in Masters appearances.
Patrick Reed
The 2018 Masters champion is a consistent presence on the Augusta leaderboard, despite limited wins since joining LIV Golf.
Justin Rose
A two-time Masters runner-up, Rose is capable of performing well despite inconsistent recent play. He has a strong track record at Augusta.
Daniel Berger
Berger is showing strong form after recovering from injury, with recent top-25 finishes. He seeks to improve his Masters record since a top-10 debut in 2016.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley has recently achieved top-25 finishes in the Masters and will lead the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre returns to the Masters after a good 2023 season and a high world ranking.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris seeks a breakthrough win after injury recovery. He has a strong Masters record with consecutive top-10s.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has consistently placed in the top 25 in recent Masters and major tournaments.
Shane Lowry
Lowry has been competitive this season, with high finishes, and has previously achieved a top-three finish at Augusta.
Maverick McNealy
McNealy`s strong season has elevated his world ranking and marks his Masters debut.
Harris English
English, a Georgia native, won the Farmers Insurance Open and is known for his putting, though his iron play has been less consistent.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard had a promising Masters debut last year and briefly contended but faced challenges in the third round.
Tier III: Dark Horses
These are sleeper picks who could win if everything aligns perfectly at Augusta.
Wyndham Clark
Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, has had fluctuating form. He recently recovered from injury and had a good finish in Houston after missing the cut in his Masters debut.
Sungjae Im
Im`s Masters results have been varied, with high finishes and missed cuts. His performance at Augusta can be unpredictable.
Dustin Johnson
Johnson, the 2020 Masters champion, seeks another green jacket. His LIV Golf form has been inconsistent, but he showed improvement recently.
Lucas Glover
Glover is coming off strong finishes and his consistent fairway hitting and iron play suit Augusta well.
Brian Harman
Harman, the 2023 Open Champion, recently won the Valero Texas Open after searching for form. He has had mixed Masters results.
J.J. Spaun
Spaun is playing some of his best golf, achieving a high world ranking and close finishes in recent tournaments.
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia, a young talent with two tour wins, has shown strong overall performance and putting this season.
Jason Day
Day`s last Masters top-25 was in 2019. His current form and new apparel are noted storylines.
Adam Scott
Scott, the 2013 champion, seeks another strong Masters finish, though his last top-10 was in 2017.
Tony Finau
Finau has been struggling recently, particularly with his iron play, after a good start to the season.
Sahith Theegala
Theegala had a good Masters debut but has been inconsistent this season.
Thomas Detry
Detry has performed well in recent majors and makes his Masters debut with potential for a surprise.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open winner, has had consistent Masters finishes but recent seasons have been challenging.
Tom Kim
Kim has made cuts in his first Masters starts and had a good finish at Pebble Beach, but his season has been inconsistent.
Corey Conners
Conners has a history of top-10 Masters finishes but his iron play has been less sharp recently.
Chris Kirk
Kirk has had recent top-25 Masters finishes, but needs to improve his putting to contend again.
Sam Burns
Burns has struggled at Augusta and with recent form, missing cuts in multiple tournaments.
Michael Kim
Kim is making his first Masters start since 2019, qualifying late and showing significant ranking improvement.
Tier IV: Long Shots
These are significant underdogs. This tier includes past champions and players facing form challenges.
Davis Thompson
Thompson, a Georgia native, is playing better recently and makes his Masters debut.
Cam Davis
Davis showed promise at last year`s Masters but has struggled with form recently.
Aaron Rai
Rai makes his Masters debut with a reputation for strong iron play and some major success.
Tom Hoge
Hoge is a solid iron player with a recent top finish, seeking to improve his Masters record.
Billy Horschel
Horschel, a recent team event winner, has a consistent Masters cut record.
Denny McCarthy
McCarthy`s putting could be a key factor if it gets hot, in his second Masters appearance.
Taylor Pendrith
Pendrith makes his Masters debut with several top-10 finishes this season.
J.T. Poston
Poston has made consecutive Masters cuts and plays consistently, but not spectacularly.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson, a three-time champion, had a strong finish in 2023 but is now considered a long shot at 52.
Nick Taylor
Taylor recently won the Sony Open but has struggled in majors.
Cameron Young
Young has had past Masters top-10s but recent form has been poor.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia, a former champion, is making his 100th major start but recent Augusta form is weak.
Danny Willett
Willett, a past champion, could surprise again, though it`s unlikely.
Laurie Canter
Canter makes his Masters debut after qualifying through world rankings, a long shot.
Byeong Hun An
An had a decent Masters finish last year, but still a long shot for victory.
Nick Dunlap
Dunlap, young and talented, has been inconsistent recently but has potential.
Rasmus Højgaard
Højgaard, Nicolai`s twin, makes his Masters debut, an outsider.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bezuidenhout is a good putter but needs improved iron play, facing recent struggles.
Stephan Jager
Jager makes his second Masters start after missing the cut in 2024.
Matthieu Pavon
Pavon had a decent Masters debut but has struggled this season.
Adam Schenk
Schenk surprised last year but recent form is poor, making him a long shot.
Tier V: Happy to Make the Cut
These players are unlikely to contend but making it to the weekend would be a success.
- Max Homa
- Joe Highsmith
- Brian Campbell
- Rafael Campos
- Nico Echavarria
- Austin Eckroat
- Max Greyserman
- Patton Kizzire
- Thriston Lawrence
- Matt McCarty
- Davis Riley
- Jhonattan Vegas
- Kevin Yu
Homa, despite past high rankings, has been struggling. Several others are first-timers at Augusta, which is historically tough for debutants. Riley is also a first-timer and has recently improved his form.
Tier VI: Past Champions
These past winners are competing due to their legacy but are not expected to contend for another title.
- Ángel Cabrera
- Fred Couples
- Zach Johnson
- Bernhard Langer
- José María Olazábal
- Charl Schwartzel
- Vijay Singh
- Bubba Watson
- Mike Weir
Langer`s participation is possibly his last. Couples and Singh have shown longevity at the Masters. Cabrera returns after a hiatus.
Tier VII: Amateurs
These are talented amateurs aiming to make the cut, following in the footsteps of past amateurs who have succeeded at the Masters.
- Josele Ballester
- Evan Beck
- Justin Hastings
- Noah Kent
- Hiroshi Tai
Ballester is a highly-ranked amateur and U.S. Amateur champion. Kent was a U.S. Amateur runner-up. Beck is a U.S. Mid-Amateur champion. Hastings won the Latin American Amateur Championship. Tai was last year`s NCAA Division I champion and represents Singapore.
