Here are the 10 most talked-about storylines heading into the 2025 Masters Tournament, based on the current buzz at Augusta National:
1. Rory McIlroy’s Career Grand Slam Quest
Rory McIlroy enters Augusta with two PGA Tour wins already in 2025 (Pebble Beach and The Players Championship), fueling speculation about whether this will finally be the year he completes the career Grand Slam. His strong form contrasts with past Masters heartbreak — can he conquer his Augusta demons?
2. Scottie Scheffler’s Three-Jacket Bid
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, aims to win his third Masters in four years (2022, 2024). A victory would put him alongside golfing legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as one of the few to dominate Augusta in such a short span.
3. Tiger Woods’ Absence
For the first time since 2021, Tiger Woods won’t be in the field due to a torn Achilles injury sustained in early 2025. His absence shifts the spotlight to a new generation and leaves fans wondering how the tournament’s aura will feel without its biggest icon.
4. Jon Rahm’s LIV-PGA Narrative
The 2023 Masters champ, Jon Rahm, returns after a rocky 2024 major season. His five top-10s in five LIV starts this year suggest he’s peaking, but the ongoing Tour-LIV divide keeps him under scrutiny — can he reclaim his Augusta magic?
5. Bernhard Langer’s Farewell
Two-time champion Bernhard Langer, now 67, has declared 2025 his final Masters after 41 starts. His emotional send-off, following a career with two green jackets (1985, 1993) and nine top-10s, promises to be a heartfelt moment at Augusta.
6. Bryson DeChambeau’s Redemption
Bryson DeChambeau led early at the 2024 Masters but faded on the weekend. With a U.S. Open title last year, the power-hitting scientist is eager to prove he can master Augusta’s precision demands.
7. Xander Schauffele’s Major Momentum
After winning two majors in 2024, Xander Schauffele is chasing a third leg of the career Grand Slam. Despite uneven form in early 2025 due to a rib injury, his return to Augusta — where he’s had solid finishes — makes him a dark horse to watch.
8. Phil Mickelson’s Strong Form?
At 54, Phil Mickelson claims he’s trending toward contention, eyeing a fourth green jacket. He enters off a top-10 finish at Doral. His T2 in 2023 was a shock; another run would reignite talk of Lefty defying age at a course he’s owned for decades.
9. Emerging Stars Stealing the Show
Young guns like Ludvig Aberg (2024 runner-up), Viktor Hovland (recent Valspar winner), and Joaquin Niemann (six worldwide wins in last 15 months) are poised to challenge the established names. Could this be the year a new face claims the green jacket?
10. Augusta’s Course Changes Post-Hurricane
After hurricane damage in late 2024, Augusta National’s subtle tweaks — rumored to affect green speeds and pin placements — could alter strategies. How will players adapt to a potentially different test?
These storylines blend veteran narratives, emerging talent, and course intrigue, setting the stage for a compelling week at Augusta National starting April 10, 2025.
