Masters 2026 predictions: 5 top contenders and 5 dark horses
· Yahoo Sports
The Masters has seen all kinds of winners during what this year will be it's 90th edition. … even in recent years.
There have been long hitters and finesse players. First-time winners and those already with a Green Jacket. Players at the top of the world rankings, players way down the list. Even those from a rival league to the PGA Tour.
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So when Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit their commemorative shots April 9 that signals the start of the 2026 Masters, and the field of 91 tees off at Augusta National, the number of golfers with a chance to win will be lengthy.
But here are five who should be at the top of the list, and another five who are lurking.
Ludvig Aberg
The young Swede has a game built for Augusta National. An elite driver, he arrived onto the Masters scene two years ago with a runner-up finish, four shots behind Scottie Scheffler. Aberg, 26, represents the up-and-coming generation on the PGA Tour. He's had big-game experience having played in two Ryder Cups and two top-10 finishes at the Masters — although he has not had much success in his other six starts in majors missing the cut four times. He has two Tour wins and 21 top 10s. Aberg is at +1600 to win according to BetMGM.
Patrick Reed
This is an unpopular choice, not because of his golf, but because Reed is the ultimate villain in golf. Reed has become known more for his rules controversies and lawsuits and joining LIV Golf than his play on the course. Couple his sterling record at the Masters with him seemingly playing free after leaving LIV and starting his transition back to the PGA Tour and this could be the year. Since winning the Masters in 2018, Reed, who is at +2800, has finished in the top 12 four times including third last year.
Scottie Scheffler
The No. 1 player in the world is the betting favorite at +600. After ending his streak of consecutive top 10 finishes at 18 in a row, he now has closed outside of the top 10 three consecutive starts. But that was when his wife, Meredith, was getting ready to deliver their second child. The Scheffler's second son, Remy, was born March 27. Scottie's mind is now free to pick up where he left off last year, which was six wins and another top 5 finish in the Masters. The 2024 and 2022 winner has four consecutive top 10s at Augusta.
Tommy Fleetwood
The No. 4 player in the world is a sneaky solid pick to win his first major and second PGA Tour event after capturing the Tour Championship eight months ago. Fleetwood has finished in the top 10 in four of five events this year, and seven of his last eight dating back to last season. The Englishman's best Masters was 2024 when he tied for third with Max Homa and Collin Morikawa, seven shots behind Scheffler. He is at +2000.
Jon Rahm
Rahm always is a threat, no matter where he is playing. He is one of the few whose game has not cratered since leaving for LIV. Rahm has finished in the top 5 in five LIV events this year, albeit against weak fields. The 2023 Masters champion, Rahm has four top 10s at Augusta and was T14 a year ago. His world ranking is back on the rise, back up to No. 30. Rahm was in the top 10 in the 2025 PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Scheffler is the second betting favorite at +1000.
Others to keep an eye on
Xander Schauffele (+1400): The world No. 4 was eighth last two Masters. coming off a T4 (Valspar) and 3rd (Players).
Rory McIlroy (+1200): We have had just three back-to-back winners and none since Tiger Woods in 2002.
Cameron Young (2000): Winner of The Players Championship up to No. 3 in world. Is he poised for run?
Bryson DeChambeau (+1200): Melted down in last year's final round. Has won last two LIV Golf events.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+2200): Game is trending with win at Valspar and runner-up at Players in last two tournaments.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Masters 2026 predictions: Top contenders and dark horses