Who will come out on top at Augusta - The Masters 2026

With the Masters kicking off, we look at who the front runners will be this year, and also at any surprise favourites for the first major of the year.

Can McIlroy do the double?

After a fairytale 2025, Rory McIlroy will be wanting to add to his illustrious collection. It’s not new for Rory fans to see him collapse at the last hurdle at these tournaments, so now that he has finally won his grand slam, will we see a new and more relaxed approach to his game at Augusta this year? The last person to ever win the Masters back-to-back was none other than Tiger woods in 2001 and 2002. But who knows, the last person to win a grand slam before McIlroy was Tiger Woods, so is there potential to see another beautiful sunday run from the Northern Irish legend?

Tommy Fleetwood

This will be Fleetwood's 10th appearance at the Masters, to which could be his best chance yet at attaining the allusive green jacket. He won his first PGA tour victory at last year’s tour championship Fed Ex Cup, to which he followed up with an inspired Ryder Cup performance last September. He has finished in the top 25 in five of the last eight appearances and will believe he has a strong chance for glory at Augusta this year. Be sure to look out for him at the top of the scoreboard come Sunday.

Xander Schauffele

Xander is one that not many people have given a real chance this year. He has come in the top 10 in five of the last seven appearances at the Masters, always looking a strong finisher come the last 2 days. He won in Japan on the PGA tour last October, while also finishing third in the players championship in March. Schauffele shouldn’t be an underdog, but will be a strong contender for the title on Sunday.

Patrick Reed

The 2018 Masters Champion came third in last year's edition, and has been lurking closer and closer to another championship win in the last few years. Reed knows what is needed to take home a victory on Sunday, and so far, seems to be one of the strong underdogs to take it home this year. He will come out strong on day one, so be sure to watch closely over the next few days for him to be close to the top.

Justin Rose

After finishing 2nd for the third time in his career at the 2025 Masters, surely Justin’s time will come to put on the green jacket. It’s a very small group of players to be a part of, one that he won’t like to be in, but he will be hoping that this will finally be his year to achieve glory. In

February, he won in San Diego by seven strokes and will want to carry on this form into Augusta. Can he claim that green jacket?

Bryson Dechambeau

Even though not being a part of the PGA tour, it’s undeniable to say that Bryson isn’t one of the favourites for the title this year. He went into Sunday last year chasing to take glory from Rory McIlroy last, but falling drastically in the end, not even finishing in the top 4 after starting 1 shot behind Rory. Bryson has had a very impressive tour on LIV golf this year and last year, which is to be expected, but it would be wrong to claim that he isn’t one of the favourites this year. The American will be hoping to join the green jacket crew.

John Rahm

The 2023 Masters champion seems to be back to his best in the last year. The former World No.1 had an amazing 2025 Ryder Cup showing, as well as performing well in the team matches at LIV Golf this year. Even with him not being on the PGA tour anymore, John Rahm continues to be a force to reckon with, and will want to join the group of two-time winners this year.

Min Woo Lee

Turning professional in 2019, Min Woo Lee has proven to be one of the best players in the world in the last few years. Earlier this year, he finished runner up at the Pebble Beach Pro-AM, and last March won his first career PGA tour win in Houston. Lee is definitely an underdog at this year’s Masters, and will for sure be a strong contender for the title. Keep a keen eye on his position on the scoreboard come Sunday.

Robert MacIntyre

After not making the cut last year, MacIntyre will hope to write the wrongs of the past. Being one of the most in-form players of the last year, he will be feeling very confident in making the Sunday cut this year. Coming fourth at the Players Championship, he is only second to Jake Knapp and Jacob Bridgeman in shots gained in 2026. Can the Scot beat the odds and come out on top at Augusta?

Ludvig Aberg

Aberg was tied for the lead with Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy in 2025 before falling back and finishing seventh. He will be hoping for better fortune come this Sunday, which I believe to be expected this year. The Swede only turned pro in 2023, making 2 ryder cup appearances already, and winning in San Diego last year. He is one of the most promising players on the PGA tour, and will be due a major championship win. Will it be at Augusta this year?