The 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, teeing off April 10-13, promises a clash of titans — past champions, hot hands, and major hopefuls vying for the green jacket.

Augusta, GA – From world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s title defense to Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam quest, here are the top 20 players to watch — based on form, Augusta history, and course comfort — as the green jacket hangs in the balance.

1. Scottie Scheffler

• Odds: 5-1
• Masters Record: 1st (2022), 10th (2023), 1st (2024)
• Why: The world No. 1 and defending champ has two Masters wins in three years. A Christmas hand injury slowed his 2025, but a T2 at Houston says he’s back. His ball-striking (No. 1 strokes gained approach) owns Augusta.
• Concern: Shaky putting (79th in one-putt percentage) is his Achilles’ heel.
• The Carrot: A third jacket in four years.

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2. Rory McIlroy

• Odds: 7-1
• Masters Record: T5 (2023), 2nd (2022), six other top-10s
• Why: World No. 2 is scorching — wins at Pebble Beach and The Players in 2025, plus a T5 in Houston. His driver (1st off the tee) feasts on Augusta’s layout, and the Grand Slam chase fuels him.
• Concern: Past Sunday fades (2011, 2023) linger.
• The Carrot: The elusive green jacket to secure the slam, fifth major.

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3. Bryson DeChambeau

• Odds: 14-1
• Masters Record: T6 (2024), T21 (2016), five missed cuts
• Why: The 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open champ led after 36 holes here in 2024 (finished T6). His 350-yard drives and top-5 finish at LIV Golf Miami make him a fan betting favorite.
• Concern: Spotty irons and short game could unravel him.
• The Carrot: Third major, halfway to career slam.

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4. Jon Rahm

• Odds: 18-1
• Masters Record: 1st (2023), T45 (2024), four other top-10s
• Why: The 2023 winner returns after a quiet 2024 (best major: T10 Open). His power and touch (five top-10s in eight starts) fit Augusta, and a solid LIV start in 2025 (five straight T9 or better) hints at revival.
• Concern: Fewer PGA Tour reps could blunt his edge.
• The Carrot: A second Masters crown, third major.

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5. Brooks Koepka

• Odds: 30-1
• Masters Record: 2nd (2019), T2 (2023), seven top-40s
• Why: A five-time major champ, Koepka thrives in the spotlight — two Masters silver medals prove it. Steady LIV form and his 2023 near-win (led by six) keep him in play.
• Concern: Injury history could flare up.
• The Carrot: Third leg of career slam, sixth major.

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6. Justin Thomas

• Odds: 22-1
• Masters Record: 4th (2020), T8 (2021), six top-22s
• Why: A two-time PGA champ, Thomas’s T2 at Valspar and elite approach play (10th) signal a resurgence. Six straight top-22s here pre-2023 bode well.
• Concern: Back-to-back missed cuts (2023-24) at Augusta cast doubt.
• The Carrot: A drought-busting win, third major.

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7. Jordan Spieth

• Odds: 30-1
• Masters Record: 1st (2015), 2nd (2014), 3rd (2016), six other top-25s
• Why: The 2015 champ boasts five top-5s at Augusta. Post-wrist surgery, a T4 (Phoenix) and T9 in Palm Beach shows flickers of old magic, and his short game loves these greens.
• Concern: No wins since 2022, wild drives (108th off the tee).
• The Carrot: A decade-later encore, long-awaited second jacket, fourth major.

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8. Collin Morikawa

• Odds: 16-1
• Masters Record: T5 (2021), 5th (2022), T10 (2023)
• Why: The 2021 Open champ’s iron play (16th in approach) and three straight Augusta top-10s scream contender. A T8 at The Players in 2025 adds steam.
• Concern: Shorter drives (168th) may cede ground to bombers.
• The Carrot: Third leg of slam, third major at 28.

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9. Xander Schauffele

• Odds: 18-1
• Masters Record: T2 (2019), 3rd (2021), T10 (2024)
• Why: The 2024 PGA and Open winner has three top-10s in seven Masters appearances. A rib injury slowed his start to 2025, but a T12 at Valspar shows promise. His all-around stats (top-20 everywhere) fit Augusta.
• Concern: Post-injury driving woes.
• The Carrot: Third leg of slam, reigning champion of three majors at same time

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10. Ludvig Aberg

• Odds: 16-1
• Masters Record: 2nd (2024)
• Why: The Swedish sensation’s 2024 runner-up debut was electric. A Genesis win in 2025 and pinpoint proximity (1st inside 100 yards) make him a threat.
• Concern: Thin Augusta experience, recent putting dips (lost strokes in 2/4 starts), enters off MC in Texas — second straight.
• The Carrot: First Swede to win green jacket.

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The Top-10 Verdict

Scheffler’s the favorite, but McIlroy’s heat and Rahm’s pedigree loom. Koepka and DeChambeau bring major chops, while Spieth and Thomas offer Augusta savvy. Schauffele, Åberg, and Morikawa round out a field ripe for fireworks. At the Masters, history meets hunger — who’ll wear the jacket come Sunday? Tune in to see.

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11. Hideki Matsuyama

• Odds: 30-1
• Masters Record: 1st (2021), T7 (2023), T38 (2024)
• Why: The 2021 Masters champ has eight top-20s in 10 starts at Augusta. His 2025 season started with a win at The Sentry, though he’s cooled off (no top-10s in eight starts since). Matsuyama’s scrambling and bogey avoidance shine here.
• Concern: Approach play has dipped (lost strokes in 4/5 recent events), enters off MC at Texas Open.
• The Carrot: Two green jackets, only Asian-born player with multiple major wins.

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12. Tommy Fleetwood

• Odds: 40-1
• Masters Record: T3 (2024), T14 (2020), four top-36s
• Why: Fleetwood’s T3 last year was his best Augusta run. He’s hit top-25s in every 2025 start since the FedExCup Playoffs, with elite irons (top-10 approach) and a strong short game.
• Concern: Still seeking a PGA Tour win in his 151st start — pressure could mount.
• The Carrot: First win in U.S. and maiden major.

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13. Joaquin Niemann

• Odds: 30-1
• Masters Record: T16 (2023), T22 (2024)
• Why: The LIV standout’s length (314-yard average) and green-hitting prowess suit Augusta. Four LIV wins in the past year show form, though his major record (one top-20 in 22 starts) lags.
• Concern: Putting has improved but will Augusta’s Sunday stage test his mettle.
• The Carrot: First Chilean to win major, dunk on Brandel Chamblee.

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14. Will Zalatoris

• Odds: 45-1
• Masters Record: 2nd (2021), T6 (2022), 9th (2023)
• Why: Zalatoris owns three top-10s in three Masters starts, thriving with pinpoint irons (top-20 approach). A T9 at The Players in 2025 marks a return from injury-plagued years.
• Concern: Health — his back remains a big wildcard.
• The Carrot: Join long list of Texans — including Scheffler, Spieth, Crenshaw, Hogan.

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15. Patrick Cantlay

• Odds: 40-1
• Masters Record: T9 (2019), T17 (2023), four cuts made
• Why: Cantlay’s steady (four top-20s in six starts) and ranks top-10 in total strokes gained. A T7 at Houston shows late prep.
• Concern: Major Sundays have eluded him — can he close?
• The Carrot: Best player without a major monkey off back.

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16. Viktor Hovland

• Odds: 35-1
• Masters Record: T7 (2023), T32 (2021), four cuts made
• Why: The 2024 Valspar champ’s ball-striking (top-10 tee-to-green) fits Augusta. His 2025 form is uneven, but a T7 here in 2023 hints at upside.
• Concern: Putting regression (86th in strokes gained) could sink him.
• The Carrot: First Norwegian major winner.

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17. Min Woo Lee

• Odds: 45-1
• Masters Record: T14 (2022), T22 (2024)
• Why: Lee’s debut T14 in 2022 and T22 last year show Augusta comfort. Enters in top form, off first Tour win at the Houston Open.
• Concern: Erratic driving (150th on Tour), barely 50%, risks trouble.
• The Carrot: Join sister Minjee as PGA/LPGA major winners, becoming first brother/sister combo.

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18. Tony Finau

• Odds: +4500
• Masters Record: T10 (2019), T8 (2023), five top-38s
• Why: Finau’s length and approach play (top-25) align with Augusta. A T2 at Houston and an ace at Valero signal late heat.
• Concern: Major consistency — he’s yet to seal one.
• The Carrot: First major, first winner of Samoan descent.

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19. Shane Lowry

• Odds: +3900
• Masters Record: T3 (2022), T16 (2021), four top-25s
• Why: Lowry’s T3 in 2022 highlights his Augusta chops. Top-25s at Bay Hill and Houston in 2025 keep him relevant.
• Concern: Approach play (outside top-50) needs a spark.
• The Carrot: Two majors, halfway to slam, first Irishman to win (beating buddy McIlroy).

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20. Cameron Smith

• Odds: +5500
• Masters Record: T5 (2018), T2 (2020), T10 (2021), T3 (2022), T6 (2024)
• Why: Smith’s five top-10s in his most recent seven starts at Augusta, including three top-5s, showcase his Masters prowess.
• Concern: Not in best form but putting looked peak Cam at Trump National on Sunday.
• The Carrot: Two majors, halfway to slam.

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The Next 10 Takeaway

This 11-20 tier blends proven Augusta performers (Matsuyama, Fleetwood, Zalatoris, Smith) with emerging threats (Niemann, Theegala, Hovland) and steady veterans (Cantlay, Finau, Lowry). Scheffler and McIlroy may dominate headlines, but this group offers value and volatility — perfect for a Masters where anything can unfold.

Who’s your pick to rise from this pack?