The 90th Masters Tournament begins April 9, 2026, at Augusta National Golf Club with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as the betting favorite. Experts identify a mix of past champions and rising stars as top contenders for the Green Jacket in a field featuring players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The prestigious event, which has seen diverse winners in recent years, will commence with honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson.
Key Takeaways:
- Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite at +600 odds, seeking his third Masters win after victories in 2022 and 2024.
- Jon Rahm, the 2023 champion, is the second favorite at +1000 despite playing on the LIV Golf circuit.
- Other top contenders include Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Reed, and Tommy Fleetwood, all with strong recent form at Augusta.
- The 90th edition features a field of 91 golfers, including players from rival tours, all competing for one of golf’s most iconic titles.
Scheffler Returns Focused After Birth of Son
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament as the clear favorite, with odds at +600. The two-time champion recently welcomed his second son, Remy, on March 27, which coincided with a brief dip in his performance. Analysts suggest his mind is now free to focus on golf, where he finished last season with six wins and a top-five finish at Augusta. Scheffler has four consecutive top-10 finishes at the Masters.
Past Champions Rahm, Reed Pose Significant Threat
Former Masters winners Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed are considered strong contenders to win another Green Jacket. Rahm, the 2023 champion, has maintained form on the LIV Golf circuit with five top-five finishes this season and is the second favorite at +1000. Patrick Reed, the 2018 winner, is at +2800 and has four top-12 finishes at Augusta since his victory, including a third-place finish last year.
Young Star Aberg, Veteran Fleetwood Among Elite Picks
Swedish rising star Ludvig Aberg and English veteran Tommy Fleetwood round out the list of top five contenders. Aberg, 26, finished runner-up in his Masters debut two years ago and is at +1600. His elite driving is considered ideal for Augusta National. Fleetwood, world No. 4, is a "sneaky solid pick" at +2000 after a win at the Tour Championship and a third-place finish at the 2024 Masters.
McIlroy, DeChambeau Headline Second Tier of Contenders
A second group of golfers is also poised to challenge, led by Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy, at +1200, aims to complete the career Grand Slam but faces the historical difficulty of back-to-back Masters wins. DeChambeau, at +1200, has won two consecutive LIV events but infamously collapsed in the final round last year. Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, and Matt Fitzpatrick are also highlighted as players to watch.
Conclusion:
The 90th Masters Tournament presents a wide-open field where established champions, consistent performers, and talented newcomers all have a credible path to victory. The convergence of PGA Tour and LIV Golf players adds a new layer of intrigue to the historic event. All eyes will be on Augusta National to see if Scottie Scheffler can solidify his dominance or if a challenger will emerge to claim the Green Jacket.
Sources
https://www.golfwrx.com/776087/the-surprise-club-tommy-fleetwood-says-is-key-to-his-masters-chances/
https://people.com/all-about-tommy-fleetwood-son-franklin-11943898
