Masters 2025: Favorites, Contenders, and Hopefuls Ranked

AUGUSTA, Ga. — While Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, will be absent from the 89th Masters due to recovery from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, the tournament remains highly anticipated. The world`s best golfers are gathering at Augusta National Golf Club this week, creating numerous compelling storylines.

Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1 globally, aims to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to secure three green jackets within four years. A victory 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, enters the tournament with perhaps even stronger recent performances 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 to complete the set and end a major championship drought spanning over a decade.

Beyond these top contenders, the tournament is notable for featuring a field that includes top players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League for the first time in eight months.

`This week is one we all cherish deeply,` stated Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner. `It marks the beginning of the major championship series, and history is consistently made here.`

Here is an overview of the 96 golfers participating, categorized from those with the highest chances of winning to those focused on making the cut.

Sections:
The Clear Favorites | Top Contenders | Dark Horses
Long Shots | Aiming to Make the Cut | Past Champions | Amateurs

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Tier I: The Clear Favorites

Although a duel between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy is highly anticipated, golfers like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are strong contenders capable of winning on Sunday. These are the golfers with the best odds to wear the green jacket.

Scottie Scheffler

After recovering from a hand injury earlier in the season, the world No. 1 is back in top form. He recently finished second at the Texas Children`s Houston Open, just one stroke behind Min Woo Lee. Scheffler excelled in putting and approach shots in that tournament. While still seeking his first win of the season, he remains the favorite, having won two of the last three Masters.

Rory McIlroy

This Masters might be McIlroy`s best chance to secure a green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam. With two pre-April victories against strong fields, he is playing exceptional golf. With Scheffler and Schauffele recently recovering from injuries, McIlroy could be considered the golfer to beat at Augusta National. He has been fine-tuning his driver and managing a sore elbow in recent play.

Collin Morikawa

Statistics show that a majority of recent Masters champions have gained significant strokes from tee to green leading up to the tournament. Morikawa currently leads the tour in this metric, as well as in approach play. Although his last win was in October 2023, he appears poised to win again soon. He was in contention in the final round in 2024 but faltered slightly, ultimately tying for third.

Jon Rahm

The 2023 Masters champion had a less successful title defense last year, leading to questions about his competitiveness in majors while playing in the LIV Golf League. However, a strong finish at The Open dispelled these concerns. Rahm has been successful in LIV Golf, winning multiple events and the season-long championship in 2024. He has consistently performed well at Augusta National with numerous top-10 finishes.

Ludvig Åberg

Åberg has quickly adapted to professional golf. In his Masters debut last year, he finished second, just behind Scheffler. He was in contention to become the first Masters rookie winner since 1979 until a critical shot into the water on the 11th hole. Åberg secured his second PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational in February, although his recent performances have been less consistent in approach play and putting.

Bryson DeChambeau

DeChambeau seems to have found favor again at Augusta National after past controversial comments. Last year, he led after the first round but his performance declined in subsequent rounds. He still achieved his best Masters finish, tying for sixth.

Xander Schauffele

Schauffele is coming off a strong year with multiple major championship wins and has a solid Masters record with several top-10 finishes. Despite a recent injury, he appears to be regaining form. His approach play has been particularly strong in recent tournaments.

Brooks Koepka

As a five-time major champion, Koepka is always a threat in major tournaments, including the Masters. He has multiple top-10 finishes at Augusta, including runner-up finishes. Koepka has spoken about the mental challenges of trying to win the Masters, highlighting the intense desire and pressure to perform.

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Tier II: Top Contenders

Beyond the top favorites, these players are legitimate contenders. They possess the skill, resilience, and composure needed for success at Augusta National.

Justin Thomas

Thomas has shown signs of returning to top form recently, with a near victory at the Valspar Championship. Despite past Masters struggles, his overall game is well-suited for Augusta.

Cameron Smith

Smith has maintained a low profile recently but has a strong Masters record, consistently finishing well at Augusta National.

Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 finish last year and has been consistent in his early season performances.

Tyrrell Hatton

Hatton has been performing exceptionally well on the DP World Tour and improved his Masters record last year. He has openly discussed his complex relationship with the 15th hole at Augusta.

Jordan Spieth

Approaching the anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth shows signs of resurgence after wrist surgery. While his recent Masters record is mixed, his overall Augusta performance history is strong.

Joaquín Niemann

Niemann, a proven winner globally, is still seeking a major breakthrough. He has shown improvement in his recent Masters appearances.

Hideki Matsuyama

The 2021 Masters champion started the season strong but has faced challenges with his driving accuracy recently.

Russell Henley

Henley, a Georgia native, has achieved success at the Masters and recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Sepp Straka

Straka has been consistently improving at Augusta National and recently won the American Express tournament.

Viktor Hovland

Hovland recently secured an unexpected win at the Valspar Championship, raising questions about whether this signifies a return to form.

Min Woo Lee

Lee recently claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Houston Open and has performed well in his Masters starts.

Patrick Reed

The 2018 Masters champion consistently performs well at Augusta National, often appearing on the leaderboard.

Justin Rose

A two-time Masters runner-up, Rose`s current form is inconsistent, but he has a strong track record at Augusta.

Daniel Berger

Berger is playing well after recovering from injury and has a past top-10 finish at the Masters.

Keegan Bradley

Bradley has improved his Masters results in recent years and will lead the US Ryder Cup team.

Robert MacIntyre

MacIntyre is returning to the Masters after a good season and a high world ranking.

Will Zalatoris

Zalatoris is seeking a major breakthrough after injury setbacks but has a strong Masters record.

Patrick Cantlay

Cantlay has been consistently performing well in majors, including the Masters.

Shane Lowry

Lowry has been in contention several times this season and has a past top-3 finish at Augusta.

Maverick McNealy

McNealy is making his Masters debut after a strong season and rise in world ranking.

Harris English

English, a Georgia native, recently won the Farmers Insurance Open and is known for his putting skills.

Nicolai Højgaard

Højgaard impressed in his Masters debut last year and briefly contended for the lead.

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Tier III: Dark Horses

These are the sleeper picks who could contend for the green jacket if everything aligns. This group includes past champions, rising talents, and players whose seasons have been inconsistent.

Wyndham Clark

Clark`s form has been variable, but he is a major champion and has shown recent signs of strong play.

Sungjae Im

Im has a mixed Masters record but has shown high finishes at Augusta in the past.

Dustin Johnson

The 2020 Masters champion`s recent form has been questioned, but he has the potential for another strong Masters performance.

Lucas Glover

Glover is coming off some of his best performances of the season and has a game suited for Augusta.

Brian Harman

The 2023 Open Champion recently found form and won the Valero Texas Open, improving his Masters outlook.

J.J. Spaun

Spaun is playing some of his best golf and has achieved a high world ranking.

Akshay Bhatia

Bhatia is a young talent with multiple tour wins and strong recent performances.

Jason Day

Day`s recent Masters record is not strong, but he has a history of high finishes at Augusta.

Adam Scott

The 2013 Masters champion`s recent form is not top tier, but he has the experience at Augusta.

Tony Finau

Finau has been struggling recently, particularly with his iron play.

Sahith Theegala

Theegala had a strong Masters debut but has been inconsistent this season.

Thomas Detry

Detry has performed well in recent majors and is making his Masters debut.

Matt Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick`s recent form has been challenging, but he has a solid Masters record.

Tom Kim

Kim has shown flashes of brilliance but lacks consistency this season.

Corey Conners

Conners has a strong Masters record with multiple top-10s, but his iron play has been less sharp recently.

Chris Kirk

Kirk has been consistent at the Masters recently, but his putting needs to improve for a higher finish.

Sam Burns

Burns has struggled at Augusta National and with recent form.

Michael Kim

Kim is making his first Masters start in several years after improving his world ranking.

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Tier IV: Long Shots

These are the unlikely contenders. This tier includes past champions, players struggling with their game, and those still learning to navigate Augusta National.

Davis Thompson

Thompson is a Georgia native playing solid golf and making his Masters debut.

Cam Davis

Davis has shown potential at Augusta but has been inconsistent recently.

Aaron Rai

Rai is making his Masters debut but is known for his strong iron play.

Tom Hoge

Hoge is a solid iron player with a recent top finish and past Masters experience.

Billy Horschel

Horschel is playing well and has a good record of making the cut at Augusta.

Denny McCarthy

McCarthy`s putting could make him a contender if it`s strong.

Taylor Pendrith

Pendrith is making his Masters debut with several top-10 finishes this season.

J.T. Poston

Poston has a steady game and has made the cut in his past Masters starts.

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson, a three-time champion, still has the potential for a good week at Augusta.

Nick Taylor

Taylor recently won but has struggled in majors.

Cameron Young

Young has had past top-10s at the Masters but recent form is poor.

Sergio Garcia

Garcia, a past champion, is making his 100th major start, but recent Masters form is weak.

Danny Willett

Willett is a past champion who could surprise again.

Laurie Canter

Canter is making his Masters debut after qualifying through world ranking.

Byeong Hun An

An had a decent Masters finish last year.

Nick Dunlap

Dunlap is a young talent capable of turning things around.

Rasmus Højgaard

Højgaard is making his Masters debut with wins on the DP World Tour.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Bezuidenhout is a good putter but needs to improve his iron play.

Stephan Jager

Jager is making his second Masters start.

Matthieu Pavon

Pavon had a decent Masters debut but has struggled this season.

Adam Schenk

Schenk had a surprising Masters finish last year but recent form is poor.

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Tier V: Aiming to Make the Cut

These players are unlikely to contend for the win, and making the cut would be a success for them.

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

Max Homa, despite past struggles at Augusta, will have fan support after a good finish last year. Several players in this tier are making their Masters debuts, which is historically challenging. Davis Riley is also making his debut after improving recent form.

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Tier VI: Past Champions

These champions are participating due to their past victories, but are unlikely to contend for another major.

Ángel Cabrera
Fred Couples
Zach Johnson
Bernhard Langer
José María Olazábal
Charl Schwartzel
Vijay Singh
Bubba Watson
Mike Weir

This is expected to be Bernhard Langer`s final Masters appearance. Fred Couples has set records as the oldest player to make the cut. Ángel Cabrera returns to Augusta after a period away.

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Tier VII: Amateurs

These are talented amateur players aiming to make the cut, following in the footsteps of past amateur successes at the Masters.

Josele Ballester
Evan Beck
Justin Hastings
Noah Kent
Hiroshi Tai

Josele Ballester is a highly ranked amateur and U.S. Amateur champion. Noah Kent was the U.S. Amateur runner-up. Evan Beck is the U.S. Mid-Amateur champion. Justin Hastings won the Latin American Amateur Championship. Hiroshi Tai is the NCAA Division I individual champion and the first Singaporean golfer at the Masters.