Rory McIlroy enters the Masters as defending champion – but we’re backing someone else for the win (Image: Getty)
The greatest weekend in golf is upon us. For four pulsating days, the best players in the world will battle it out to be crowned the Masters champion at Augusta National.
This year’s tournament will go some way to beating the 2025 edition, with Rory McIlroy finally putting his Augusta demons to bed with a gutsy play-off win on the Sunday night. McIlroy will return to the famous Georgia golf course as the reigning champion, but our pick for the green jacket is a different Brit altogether.
Firstly, why not McIlroy? Well, history tells us that you don’t win the Masters two years in a row. The last player to do that was Tiger Woods back in 2002. Before that, Sir Nick Faldo in the 1990s. We are due a back-to-back champion, and if anyone can do it, McIlroy would be the guy, but his form in 2026 has been indifferent to say the least. Mind you, if he does pull it off, at 14/1, you’d certainly bag yourself a healthy return.
What about Scottie Scheffler? As always, he’s the sensible pick. The world No.1 has won just one tournament in 2026, but his ability to turn it on for the majors is like no other in the current field. However, his performances are a reason why some bookies are offering as low as 7/1 for Scheffler to snag a third green jacket, and at that price, where’s the fun in that?
Which is why, if you’re looking for a potential payout, Matt Fitzpatrick is where your money should be going. The Sheffield-born golfer enjoyed a stellar end to 2025, which included a fantastic showing for Team Europe in the historic Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black.
Matt Fitzpatrick has been in good nick of late (Image: Getty)
He hasn’t won on tour this calendar year, but he came mighty close to a victory at the Players Championship last month, finishing just one stroke behind Cameron Young (another one to watch this week). You might want to move quickly though, because his odds have started to squeeze in the build-up to the competition, and if Fitzpatrick gets off to a strong start, expect them to shorten even more.
Make no mistake, even with a major win under his belt (Fitzpatrick won the 2022 US Open), the 31-year-old is an outsider heading into the 2026 Masters. So if you don’t fancy the 20/1 outright shot, chance your arm with an each-way effort instead. Fitzpatrick is one of the best golfers in the world right now, and, barring a disaster, should be among the favourites for the title.
Compatriot Tommy Fleetwood deserves a mention too. Another standout performer during Team Europe’s victory in New York, Fleetwood, like Fitzpatrick, has been tracking in the right direction of late. You can get him as high as 22/1 in some bookies, but unlike Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood isn’t a former major winner. Winning your first at Augusta would be some way to go about it.
Speaking of Young, there’s plenty of buzz around him heading into the week. While he is also without a major win to his name, The Players is essentially the next best thing, with his early March victory having primed him for making that step up and taking one of the big ones. You won’t get as good odds for the 28-year-old though, given some bookies have him down as low as 16/1.
Want some advice? Steer clear of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and any of the other LIV Golf lot. Sure, LIV players (including Rahm and DeChambeau) have won majors in the past, but we’re close to four years on from most of them ditching the PGA Tour for what is, objectively, a lower standard of golf. At 11/1 and 12/1 respectively for Rahm and DeChambeau, they just aren’t value for money.
Elsewhere, for some potential each-wayers, Ludvig Aberg could place well, but he hasn’t shown enough signs of being able to get the job done in the backend of tournaments when leading. Xander Schauffele has bounced back after a disappointing 2025 and should be in contention, while you can never write off Justin Rose.
The Englishman agonisingly missed out on a maiden green jacket last year, and has vowed to use that heartache to his advantage this time around. At 25/1, he might just be the best value for money among the serious contenders.
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