93. Tiger Woods
Masters record: T41-MC-1-T8-T18-5-1-1-T15-T22-1-T3-T2-2-T6-T4-T4-T40-T4-T17-T32-1-38-47-WD-60
Rounds under par: 51/100
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-82
Scoring average: 71.30
Augusta earnings: $9,642,636
He’s listed in the Masters field – all past champs are until they let Augusta National know otherwise – so he’s listed here. Though it’s unlikely given he spent Friday night in the slammer. If he does start, he will probably make the cut. If he makes the cut, he will probably finish DFL. If he finishes DFL, we will definitely fawn over every single shot like it might be his last.
92. Brandon Holtz (a)
Masters record: Rookie
I love this guy’s story – and probably as close as you or I will ever get to playing in the Masters. Won the US Mid-Am to earn an invite and, at 39, he’s the oldest rookie in the field by eight years. Currently sits 3,262nd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. The next highest-ranked amateur in the field is 112th. Speaking of which…
91. Mateo Pulcini (a)
Masters record: Rookie
The Argentinean won the Latin America Amateur to book his spot at Augusta. Come on, now, there’s an awful long way to go.
90. Jackson Herrington (a)
Masters record: Rookie
It’s still somewhat baffling that the runner-up of the US Amateur gets an invite from Augusta. But then others to have done just that and gone on to win the Masters’ Silver Cup include Ben Crenshaw in 1973, Patrick Cantlay in 2012, and Neal Shipley in 2023. Herrington was beaten in that final by…
89. Mason Howell (a)
Masters record: Rookie
Other US Amateur champions who went on to win the Masters include Jack, Phil and Tiger. Maybe one day we’ll just refer to Howell as “Mason”. (This also feels like a good place to remind ourselves that Woods won the Masters – by 12 shots – while he was the reigning US Amateur champion.)
88. Naoyuki Kataoka
Masters record: Rookie
With last year’s Scottish and Spanish Open winners already otherwise exempt, Kataoka was the first player to benefit from Augusta National’s alignment with the R&A on its qualifying process. Came from seven back to win the Japan Open Championship, too.
87. Michael Brennan
Masters record: Rookie
Booked his spot with victory in his very first PGA Tour event at the Bank of Utah Championship, but his form in 2026 is pretty brutal: MC-T56-DQ-T48-T52-69-MC.
86. Fifa Laopakdee (a)
Masters record: Rookie
The Thai amateur could fail to break 100 twice and it still wouldn’t be the worst thing a Fifa has done on American soil. That was awarding Donald Trump a peace prize…
85. Angel Cabrera
Masters record: MC-T10-T9-T15-MC-MC-T8-T37-T25-1-T18-7-T32-2-MC-T22-T24-MC-MC-MC-MC
Rounds under par: 28/68
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-83
Scoring average: 72.85
Augusta earnings: $3,553,357
Speaking of old guys who shouldn’t be anywhere near the position they’re in. Hopefully the next entry on Cabrera’s record is “WD and never came back”.
84. Mike Weir
Masters record: T28-T27-T24-1-MC-T5-T11-T20-T17-T46-T43-MC-MC-MC-T44-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-T51-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC
Rounds under par: 21/76
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-82
Scoring average: 73.87
Augusta earnings: $2,052,340
Let’s have a quiz! We all remember the Canadian’s victory in 2003, but can you remember who he beat in a playoff? I’ll put the answer at a random spot in the next four million words to make sure you’re paying attention.
83. Fred Couples
Masters record: T32-10-T10-T31-T5-T11-5-T35-1-T21-T10-T15-T7-T2-T27-T11-26-T36-T28-T6-T39-T3-T30-MC-MC-6-T15-T12-T13-T20-MC-T18-T38-MC-MC-MC-MC-T50-MC-MC
Rounds under par: 58/142
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-81
Scoring average: 72.43
Augusta earnings: $2,890,600
Always welcome back, though, is Freddie Cool. If he wants to break Gary Player’s record of 52 appearances, Couples will need to play every one until the 102nd Masters in 2038, when he’ll be 78.
82. Vijay Singh
Masters record: T27-MC-T39-T17-MC-T24-1-T18-7-T6-T6-T5-T8-T13-T14-T30-MC-MC-T27-T38-T37-54-MC-MC-49-MC-WD-MC-MC-MC-T58
Rounds under par: 33/101
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-82
Scoring average: 73.38
Augusta earnings: $2,682,804
Wasn’t here last year – his first missed Masters since his debut in ’94 – but heads back to Augusta having finished T40 at the Sony Open in Hawaii just because he can.
81. Jose Maria Olazabal
Masters record: MC-MC-T8-13-2-T42-T7-1-T14-T12-T12-1-MC-T15-4-T8-30-MC-T3-T44-MC-MC-MC-MC-T50-T34-MC-MC-MC-MC-MC-T50-MC-MC-T45-MC
Rounds under par: 39/112
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-84
Scoring average: 73.21
Augusta earnings: $2,712,718
I always look at the list of legends teeing it up at each Masters and wonder if Augusta’s tradition of handing lifetime exemptions to former champions is the right thing to do. And the answer is always yes, absolutely it is.
80. Davis Riley
Masters record: T21
Rounds under par: 2/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-75
Scoring average: 71.50
Augusta earnings: $210,000
Arguably in the worst form of anyone in the field. Since last year’s Masters, he’s missed 14 cuts in 25 starts and his average finish in the other 11 is 55th. Jumps above the legends due to his inexplicable runner-up at the PGA Championship.
79. Danny Willett
Masters record: T38-1-MC-MC-MC-T25-MC-T12-MC-T45-T42
Rounds under par: 10/34
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-78
Scoring average: 73.03
Augusta earnings: $2,444,513
Other famous people from Rotherham include TV entertainers the Chuckle Brothers, footballer David Seaman, and Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme. All of whom probably have as much chance of winning the Masters as Willett. What’s that? He did WHAT? What happened to Jordan Spieth? I turned off when he was five clear on the 12th tee…
78. Ethan Fang (a)
Masters record: Rookie
The highest-ranked amateur in the field this year and without doubt the best shout to get through the weekend and earn low amateur honors – which isn’t funny or interesting. Sorry about that.
77. Sami Valimaki
Masters record: Rookie
“Promoted” from the DP World Tour and won on the PGA Tour in just his sixth start but has struggled since – so shall we have another quiz? Who is the only other Finn to play in the Masters?
76. Kristoffer Reitan
Masters record: Rookie
Another of the 10 players to earn a PGA Tour card through the Race to Dubai, but decided to stay on the other side of the Atlantic until the end of the year – a decision that paid off at Gary Player’s place. Wonder if he asked his new friend for any tips? Also can’t shake the feeling that he’s England soccer coach Thomas Tuchel in a fake beard…
75. Brian Campbell
Masters record: T32
Rounds under par: 1/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-76
Scoring average: 72.25
Augusta earnings: $121,538
Strong ‘first-round leader before finishing finishing 50th’ vibes.
74. Sergio Garcia
Masters record: T38-T40-MC-8-T28-T4-MC-46-MC-MC-T38-T45-T35-T12-T8-MC-T17-T34-1-MC-MC-MC-T23-MC-MC-MC
Rounds under par: 25/82
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-81
Scoring average: 73.13
Augusta earnings: $3,476,530
Six missed cuts in seven since finally getting over the line tells its own story – and he’s not playing well enough to convince me to move him any higher. Which is a shame, because a Masters with Sergio in contention is always fun.
73. Charl Schwartzel
Masters record: T30-1-T50-T25-MC-T38-MC-3-MC-MC-T25-T26-T10-T50-MC-T36
Rounds under par: 16/54
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-81
Scoring average: 72.69
Augusta earnings: $3,113,344
Sorry, Charl. I know you were one of 14 players to end up above Rory McIlroy that fateful year, but you’ll always be the guy who stole the Green Jacket from him. And, for that, I cannot forgive you. Even though he now has one? Yes. Perhaps even more so.
72. Matt McCarty
Masters record: T14
Rounds under par: 3/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-75
Scoring average: 71.33
Augusta earnings: $336,000
In dreadful form since his T2 at The American Express, but finished T14 on debut last year and lefties always do well here so here we are in 72nd.
71. Haotong Li
Masters record: T32-T43
Rounds under par: 2/8
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-76
Scoring average: 72.00
Augusta earnings: $108,513
Couldn’t think what to write so asked ChatGPT to help and this is what it came up with: “Haotong Li’s 2026 Masters chances sit somewhere between ‘storybook miracle’ and ‘Augusta accidentally replaced with mini-golf’. He’s the chaos pick – capable of brilliance, but more likely to make Amen Corner ask for a restraining order.” Think I’ll write the rest myself.
70. John Keefer
Masters record: Rookie
Played his way into the top 50 – and, as a result, Augusta – from his Korn Ferry Tour form alone. Has struggled at the top table, though, including missed cuts in three of his last four starts. T3 in Houston bumps him up a few.
69. Aldrich Potgieter
Masters record: MC
Rounds under par: 0/2
Lowest and highest rounds: 74-77
Scoring average: 75.50
Augusta earnings: $0
Making his Masters debut as a professional having missed the cut here as an amateur two years ago, but has played just two weekends out of seven so far in 2026. At least he’s guaranteed four rounds at Augusta, because there are practice days.
68. Alex Noren
Masters record: MC-MC-T62-MC
Rounds under par: 0/10
Lowest and highest rounds: 72-79
Scoring average: 75.40
Augusta earnings: $55,415
Do you know how many times I had to check that Noren’s Masters record is correct? That’s right. Twice. Tell me you can’t hit a draw without telling me you can’t hit a draw.
67. Andrew Novak
Masters record: Rookie
PGA Tour form has disappeared since his T7 at Torrey Pines. More like Andrew Novakingchance, amirite? Hello? Is this thing on?
66. Sam Stevens
Masters record: Rookie
With Lee Hodges failing to make the field, takes the baton as the ‘Masters Rookie Who Sounds Most Like a League 1 Left-Back’.
65. Nick Taylor
Masters record: T29-MC-T40
Rounds under par: 2/10
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-81
Scoring average: 73.40
Augusta earnings: $177,950
The Canadian used game-improvement irons when he finished T29 on debut here in 2020, so let’s just use this as an opportunity for a plug.
64. Bubba Watson
Masters record: T20-42-T38-1-T50-1-T38-T37-MC-T5-T12-57-T26-T39-MC-MC-T14
Rounds under par: 25/62
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-80
Scoring average: 72.39
Augusta earnings: $4,472,230
Fancies his chances of breaking Jack Nicklaus’s record of being the oldest Masters winner. You just wouldn’t put it past him, would you? (Will obviously miss the cut.)
63. Maverick McNealy
Masters record: T32
Rounds under par: 1/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 71-73
Scoring average: 72.25
Augusta earnings: $121,538
Everything about McNealy says he is a PGA champion elect. See you next month.
62. Michael Kim
Masters record: MC-27
Rounds under par: 3/6
Lowest and highest rounds: 71-78
Scoring average: 73.50
Augusta earnings: $168,550
Probably the most prominent golfer on social media. Want him to win because I reckon he’d do a Instagram Live from the Butler Cabin.
61. Harry Hall
Masters record: Rookie
We’re both from the same part of the world, so I’d like to see Hall do well for that reason. I want him to win because it feels like the only chance we’ll get to see Cornish pasties, custard, and scones served at the Champions Dinner. If I get time I might work out which players I reckon would go cream then jam. One of them is definitely…
60. Wyndham Clark
Masters record: MC-T46
Rounds under par: 1/6
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-78
Scoring average: 74.00
Augusta earnings: $76,180
There was a whole episode of Full Swing dedicated to Clark’s anger management issues and not once did they call him ‘The Wyncredible Hulk’. So, for that reason, I’m out.
59. Carlos Ortiz
Masters record: MC
Rounds under par: 1/2
Lowest and highest rounds: 72-82
Scoring average: 76.50
Augusta earnings: $10,000
Did you know players that miss the cut still get paid by Augusta National? Now you do. In fact, it’s actually $15,000 now.
58. Ryan Fox
Masters record: T26-T38
Rounds under par: 3/8
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-77
Scoring average: 72.88
Augusta earnings: $233,000
The New Zealander doesn’t have much luck around this time of year. Was ill here a couple of years ago that derailed any chance he had while in the form of his life, and was forced out of The Players with kidney stones last month.
57. Sam Burns
Masters record: MC-T29-MC-T46
Rounds under par: 3/12
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-80
Scoring average: 73.67
Augusta earnings: $211,280
His record since last year’s Masters seems to either be top 10s or missed cuts, so your guess is as good as ours. Shall we just make a Simpsons reference and move on? Excellent.
56. Kurt Kitayama
Masters record: MC-T35
Rounds under par: 2/6
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-82
Scoring average: 74.33
Augusta earnings: $113,000
Missed out last year but back thanks to his victory at the 3M Open. Can’t shift the feeling that he’ll be in contention on Sunday morning only to fail to break 80.
55. Aaron Rai
Masters record: T27
Rounds under par: 2/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 70-74
Scoring average: 71.75
Augusta earnings: $158,550
Yes, he wears two gloves. And yes, uses iron headcovers. But no, I will not bump him down because it’s all for good reason and he’s a super nice dude. He’s been bumped down because of his form.
54. Max Greyserman
Masters record: T32
Rounds under par: 2/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-75
Scoring average: 73.25
Augusta earnings: $121,538
His middle name is Alexander. Others that share that trait? Sir Nicholas Alexander Faldo, Jordan Alexander Spieth, and Scott Alexander Scheffler. And they’ve done alright around this place.
53. Daniel Berger
Masters record: T10-T27-T32-MC-T50-T21
Rounds under par: TBC
Lowest and highest rounds: TBC
Scoring average: TBC
Augusta earnings: TBC
Berger relished his return to Augusta last year with a T21 but – aside from his playoff defeat to Akshay Bhatia at Bay Hill – his form just isn’t saucy enough to put him in meat of it. (See if you can spot those burger puns. They’re pretty subtle.)
52. Phil Mickelson
Masters record: T46-T34-T7-3-MC-T12-T6-T7-3-3-3-1-10-1-T24-T5-5-1-T27-T3-T54-MC-T2-MC-T22-T36-T18-T55-T21-T2-T43-MC
Rounds under par: 60/120
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-79
Scoring average: 71.44
Augusta earnings: $9,870,317
Averaging below par from 120 rounds is a ludicrously underrated achievement, and Lefty has passed Tiger Woods as the highest-ever earner in Masters history. His game may have fallen off a Saudi-funded cliff, and he’s only played four competitive rounds since August, but he knows how to get the job done here, so don’t rule him out (of a backdoor top 10).
51. Nicolas Echavarria
Masters record: 51
Rounds under par: 2/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-84
Scoring average: 74.00
Augusta earnings: $51,660
Was chugging along nicely last year until a 12-over round of 84 on the Sunday cost him an awful lot of money. That said, he knows how to break 70 at Augusta and is a recent winner on the PGA Tour.
50. Dustin Johnson
Masters record: T30-T38-T13-MC-T6-T4-T10-T2-1-MC-T12-T48-MC-MC
Rounds under par: 23/52
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-79
Scoring average: 71.87
Augusta earnings: $4,667,235
Last year was the first time he’d missed back-to-back cuts at Augusta and only the second time he’d done it in his entire major career, which is just absurd really. His record at the Big Four in the past couple of years is horrendous, so the quicker he fails to make the weekend, the quicker he can get back to [REDACTED].
49. Tom McKibbin
Masters record: Rookie
Was overheard at a LIV Golf season preview event in January confidently stating that “the best golf courses in the world are right here in Florida”. McKibbin, need I remind you, is from Northern Ireland. Not sure he can ever be forgiven for such a horrendous take. Still, he’s getting an Augusta reccy from Tyrrell Hatton, so at least he’ll know which greens to give the middle finger.
48. Gary Woodland
Masters record: T24-WD-T26-MC-MC-MC-T32-MC-T40-MC-T14-MC
Rounds under par: TBC
Lowest and highest rounds: TBC
Scoring average: TBC
Augusta earnings: TBC
Had to triple check that his emotional Houston Open victory was actually his first PGA Tour title since the 2019 US Open because I just flat out refuse to believe he hasn’t picked up a Valspar or a Travelers in that time. There aren’t many in the field I want to win more – and that brave interview in recent weeks seems to have taken a huge weight off his shoulders.
47. Zach Johnson
Masters record: MC-T32-1-T20-MC-42-MC-T32-T35-MC-T9-MC-MC-T36-T58-T51-MC-MC-T34-MC-T8
Rounds under par: 18/66
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-81
Scoring average: 73.18
Augusta earnings: $2,701,855
ZJ’s won a Green Jacket, yet it feels like he’s better known for that time he hit his ball during a practice swing. Or when he told the patrons to “f*** off”. Jumps up a few spots because last year he shot his best ever round at Augusta to seal a first top 10 in a decade, and the now-50-year-old is in great form having won on his Champions Tour debut before following it up with a T3.
46. Brian Harman
Masters record: MC-T44-T12-MC-MC-MC-T36
Rounds under par: 6/20
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-81
Scoring average: 73.45
Augusta earnings: $399,763
Shall we just do a slow play joke and move on? If Harman does find himself in contention come Sunday, we could be in for our first Monday finish at Augusta since the ’80s. Brilliant.
45. JJ Spaun
Masters record: 50
Rounds under par: 1/8
Lowest and highest rounds: 70-75
Scoring average: 73.25
Augusta earnings: $190,920
Talking of Monday finishes, Spaun lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy at last year’s Players after dunking his ball in the water at 17. In his new book about McIlroy, author Alan Shipnuck tells a great story about how him and Spaun crossed paths at Augusta the following month as the American made his way to another playoff – this time in the Masters Par-3 Contest. “Better get the club right this time,” he jibed. And Spaun has not forgotten. Imagine McIlroy having to put the Green Jacket on him come Sunday. (Don’t worry, he won’t.)
44. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
Masters record: Rookie
Would take over from Seve Ballesteros as the Masters champion with the longest surname by a whopping six letters. You think there’s pressure on the players coming down the stretch on Sunday? Wait until you see the volunteers in those grand scoreboards trying to deal with Neergaard-Petersen being in contention.
43. Cameron Smith
Masters record: T55-T5-T51-T2-T10-T3-T34-T6-MC
Rounds under par: 17/34
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-82
Scoring average: 71.76
Augusta earnings: $3,436,668
Might be the biggest faller from last year’s Masters Power Rankings – purely on his domestic and major form over the past couple of years. But despite his missed cut last time out, he’s still one of just a handful of players who averages below par here, and is still the only player to card four rounds in the 60s during a single Masters Tournament – something even Tiger and Jack couldn’t manage. (Though they never got to play Augusta in November…)
42. Ryan Gerard
Masters record: Rookie
Won the Barracuda Championship while we were all watching the Scottish Open, and ended the year by flying to Mauritius to tee up on the DP World Tour, where he finished 2nd to sneak into the top 50 and get an invite to Augusta. Pretty baller.
41. Adam Scott
Masters record: T9-T23-MC-T33-T27-T27-T25-MC-T18-T2-T8-1-T14-T38-T42-T9-T32-T18-T34-54-T48-T39-T22-MC
Rounds under par: 30/90
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-80
Scoring average: 72.62
Augusta earnings: $4,058,807
Playing in his 98th straight major and on track to join Jack Nicklaus as the only two players to make it a century. If he doesn’t qualify for the PGA Championship and US Open, there’s no way he’s not offered special exemptions – but it would be nice to do it on merit, wouldn’t it?
40. Ben Griffin
Masters record: Rookie
When was the last time someone played in the Ryder Cup before the Masters, I wonder? Let’s dive into the history bo… Oh, Ludvig Aberg. Two years ago.
39. Max Homa
Masters record: MC-MC-T48-T43-T3-T12
Rounds under par: 7/20
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-78
Scoring average: 72.85
Augusta earnings: $1,628,650
Was in the world’s top 10 just 18 months ago and is now hovering around the 150 mark. Quite telling that his best golf this year has been on TGL, but impossible to ignore his last two finishes here.
38. Casey Jarvis
Masters record: Rookie
Having an unreal year and was a whisker away from joining Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo as the only players to win three times in a row on the European Tour. Bumps up a couple of spots because South Africans have an oddly good record here.
37. Marco Penge
Masters record: Rookie
Hits it miles, playing well, and full of confidence – but, most importantly, Penge and his wife, Sophie, recently welcomed their second baby into the world – so consider the Englishman on Nappy Factor watch. (Just looked it up, and apparently Americans say ‘Diaper Dimension’, which I’m not sure is genius or completely insane. Like cheese in a bottle.)
36. Rasmus Hojgaard
Masters record: T32
Rounds under par: 1/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-75
Scoring average: 72.25
Augusta earnings: $121,538
It’s hard to tip him when I’m not convinced he’ll even be the highest-placed finisher in his family. Am I going to be incredibly cliché and put them right next to each other?
35. Nicolai Hojgaard
Masters record: T16-MC
Rounds under par: 1/6
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-76
Scoring average: 73.33
Augusta earnings: $340,000
Damn straight I am. The older Hojgaard twin made 21 birdies here on debut two years ago, while champion Scottie Scheffler made 20. Avoid bogeys, win the Masters. Easy.
34. Keegan Bradley
Masters record: T27-T54-MC-T22-T52-T43-T23-T22-MC
Rounds under par: 11/32
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-82
Scoring average: 73.13
Augusta earnings: $635,403
Happy to put that missed cut last year down to Ryder Cup stress. Hard to believe he’s only made nine appearances – and just over half a million bucks – here, and yet is firmly in the Outsiders Who Could Legitimately Win a Green Jacket group. Needs to get over Bethpage though. Shall we all agree to stop asking about it?
33. Jake Knapp
Masters record: T55
Rounds under par: 0/4
Lowest and highest rounds: 73-78
Scoring average: 75.25
Augusta earnings: $46,000
After an extended break at the back end of 2025, the frontrunner for the Fred Couples Award for the Coolest Swing in Golf is in fine form. A missed cut at Sawgrass aside, Knapp’s finished T11-T5-8-T8-6-T6 in seven of his eight starts this year.
32. Min Woo Lee
Masters record: T14-MC-T22-49
Rounds under par: 3/14
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-77
Scoring average: 73.29
Augusta earnings: $465,433
Snubbed LIV Golf because they wanted to play the Masters. And, I’m sorry, but I refuse to accept that a golfer whose catchphrase is “Let Him Cook!” won’t win the one tournament that requires each of its winners to buy dinner for his fellow champions.
31. Jason Day
Masters record: T2-WD-3-T20-T28-T10-T22-T20-T5-MC-MC-T39-T30-T8
Rounds under par: 23/49
Lowest and highest rounds: 64-80
Scoring average: 71.88
Augusta earnings: $3,106,248
Wants to win the Masters and believes he can win the Masters. But, let’s face it, we’re all just looking forward to seeing what garbs he rocks up in.
30. Justin Thomas
Masters record: T39-T22-T17-T12-4-T21-T8-MC-MC-T36
Rounds under par: 17/36
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-79
Scoring average: 72.00
Augusta earnings: $1,795,163
30th? Hear me out. T37, T53, MC, T65, MC, MC, MC, T8, MC, T31, T36, MC, MC, T34. That’s JT’s major record since winning the PGA Championship in 2022 which, frankly, feels like so long ago that the man he beat down that week has since retired. Got back in the winner’s circle at the RBC Heritage last year for the first time since that fateful day at Southern Hills, but injury and form have been a problem since.
29. Si Woo Kim
Masters record: MC-T24-T21-T34-T12-T39-T29-T30
Rounds under par: 10/30
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-81
Scoring average: 72.50
Augusta earnings: $804,631
Since three straight missed cuts which started at last year’s Open, Kim’s average finish is 16th – including top-fives at Wentworth, Royal Melbourne, Torrey Pines and TPC Scottsdale. Should move him up, really, but it means re-numbering 60-odd players and I’m just so tired.
28. Patrick Cantlay
Masters record: T47-MC-T9-T17-MC-T39-T14-T22-T36
Rounds under par: 13/32
Lowest and highest rounds: 64-79
Scoring average: 72.47
Augusta earnings: $1,181,313
Feels like we’re due a boring Masters – and no amount of trying to get the nickname “Patty Ice” to stick would change that. Would be quite the comedown after last year, eh?
27. Sepp Straka
Masters record: T30-T46-T16-MC
Rounds under par: 4/14
Lowest and highest rounds: 70-78
Scoring average: 73.36
Augusta earnings: $485,750
Drops a couple of places for being a European with an American accent. (Imagine where Graeme McDowell would be.)
26. Tyrrell Hatton
Masters record: MC-T44-T56-MC-T18-52-T34-T9-T14
Rounds under par: 8/32
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-80
Scoring average: 73.31
Augusta earnings: $1,252,310
Clearly likes it here, despite what his middle finger says. Would love to see Hatton win the Masters – just so him and Danny Willett can have a naughty table at the Champions Dinner.
25. Harris English
Masters record: MC-T42-T21-T43-T22-T12
Rounds under par: 7/22
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-77
Scoring average: 73.05
Augusta earnings: $870,700
Recorded his career-best round and finish at last year’s Masters and went on to finish runner-up at the PGA Championship and The Open. About as good an each-way bet you’ll get this year.
24. Corey Conners
Masters record: MC-T46-T10-T8-T6-MC-T38-T8
Rounds under par: 15/28
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-80
Scoring average: 71.96
Augusta earnings: $1,875,700
A solid record around Augusta and is quietly going about his business this year without really tearing up any trees. Wouldn’t be a surprised if he won by 12 or missed the cut by 12.
23. Shane Lowry
Masters record: MC-T39-MC-MC-T25-T21-T3-T16-T43-T42
Rounds under par: 9/34
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-81
Scoring average: 72.82
Augusta earnings: $1,565,913
Carded a career-worst 81 last year while in contention but absolutely has what it takes to win here. Can you imagine Rory McIlroy putting the Green Jacket on his best mate on Sunday? There wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house. Or glass in the bar.
22. Hideki Matsuyama
Masters record: T27-T54-MC-5-T7-T11-19-T32-T13-1-T14-T16-T38-T21
Rounds under par: 26/54
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-80
Scoring average: 71.70
Augusta earnings: $4,244,867
Probably could have been anywhere from 5th to 50th in this ranking and no one would bat an eyelid – but sleep on Deki at your peril.
21. Russell Henley
Masters record: MC-T31-21-T11-T15-T30-T4-T38-MC
Rounds under par: 14/32
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-81
Scoring average: 72.41
Augusta earnings: $1,559,650
Another player with a sneaky good record here – and he’s in fine form too with a T6 at Bay Hill and T13 at Sawgrass bumping him up the rankings. Just misses out on the top 20 to…
20 Sungjae Im
Masters record: T2-MC-T8-T16-MC-T5
Rounds under par: 12/20
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-80
Scoring average: 71.75
Augusta earnings: $2,546,000
The scoreboard volunteer’s favorite will almost certainly look back and wonder ‘what if?’ about his debut in the Covid Masters – and he certainly seems to love this place. Was one of just two players to card four rounds under par last year. The other’s in our top 10, so you’ve got that to look forward to.
19. Akshay Bhatia
Masters record: T35-T42
Rounds under par: 2/8
Lowest and highest rounds: 70-76
Scoring average: 73.25
Augusta earnings: $178,600
We went 70-odd years without a left-handed Masters winner, and then we had six in 11. The last was Bubba Watson in ’14, so we are due one. Here are your two best shots. Sure, Bhatia won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, and sure, it may be a bit of British bias creeping in, but his horrible major record to date sees him just edged out for Top Lefty by…
18. Robert MacIntyre
Masters record: T12-T23-MC
Rounds under par: 3/10
Lowest and highest rounds: 69-76
Scoring average: 72.70
Augusta earnings: $381,500
Chugging along nicely this season and that T4 at The Players was massive. Couple that with his fine major form that saw him finish runner-up at the US Open and T7 at Portrush and we could be seeing haggis on the Champions Dinner menu for the first time since 1989…
17. Jacob Bridgeman
Masters record: Rookie
His worst finish this year is T18 and includes a maiden PGA Tour title at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera. Even Tiger Woods hasn’t won there. Would be our shout for top rookie, but that honor will go to…
16. Chris Gotterup
Masters record: Rookie
The most decorated of this year’s debutants, Gotterup has something quite Scheffler-esque about him. (Sheffler Lite? Diet Scheffler? We’ll work on that.) Wins at the Opens of Sony and Phoenix earlier this year mean the 26-year-old will be just the third player – after Dave Hill in 1968 and Mark Wilson in 2011 – to make their Masters debut with four PGA Tour wins on his CV. Hard to think of anyone in recent years with a better chance of slipping into the Green Jacket at the first attempt.
15. Viktor Hovland
Masters record: T32-T21-T27-T7-MC-T21
Rounds under par: 10/22
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-81
Scoring average: 72.05
Augusta earnings: $1,036,100
If you haven’t read Ben Parsons’ interview with Hovland, where he goes into tremendous detail about his ongoing mental and physical battle with this sport, then you absolutely should change that. And perhaps help you understand why the Norwegian is this high/low (delete as appropriate).
14. Collin Morikawa
Masters record: T44-T18-5-T10-T3-T14
Rounds under par: 12/24
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-75
Scoring average: 71.33
Augusta earnings: $2,610,400
Another Green Jacket-elect. You don’t have Morikawa’s iron game and not win around here. Was a shoo-in for top-five until his back gave up on him after just one hole at The Players. The lack of competitive reps is a huge concern. You simply don’t just rock up at Augusta and win.
13. Brooks Koepka
Masters record: T33-T21-T11-T2-T7-MC-MC-T2-T45-MC
Rounds under par: 14/34
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-76
Scoring average: 71.97
Augusta earnings: $3,306,484
The man himself describes it as “statistically your best chance to win a major” and both times he was runner-up here he was a legitimate contender. After a slow start to life back on the PGA Tour, Koepka’s run off three top-20s, but it just keeps him out of the top 10 here.
12. Jordan Spieth
Masters record: T2-1-T2-T11-3-T21-T46-T3-MC-T4-MC-T14
Rounds under par: 25/44
Lowest and highest rounds: 64-79
Scoring average: 70.98
Augusta earnings: $6,366,828
Look, this is my list, and I’ll put him wherever I want. Guess how many players have a better scoring average of those who have played 25+ rounds at ANGC? (You’ll find out why I chose that number when you get to Scottie Scheffler.) Spieth’s recent form includes top-12 finishes at Bay Hill, Sawgrass and Innisbrook, so this seems the most fitting place to slot in the People’s Champion.
11. Justin Rose
Masters record: T39-T22-T5-T36-T20-T11-T8-T25-T14-T2-T10-2-T12-MC-T23-7-MC-T16-MC-2
Rounds under par: 38/74
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-81
Scoring average: 71.76
Augusta earnings: $6,686,765
Devastating that, of all the people he could have gone up against in a playoff last year, it just happened to be the one man we were all desperate to see win. I can’t be alone in Rose being top of our list of players we want to win this week. Would have nudged into the top-10 had it not been for the form of another Englishman.
Before we get to that, though…
2026 Masters Trends
Looking for your Masters champion? Here are a few trends to look out for before and during the tournament.
Overall Trends
Age: 11 of the last 13 winners were 27 or older (Spieth 21, Scheffler 25)
World Ranking: 13/13 were ranked in the top 25 of the OWGR
Career Starts: 11/13 had at least 140 previous career starts (Spieth 184, Scheffler 97)
Career Wins: 13/13 had at least 4 previous career wins
Course Trends
Previous Starts: 13/13 had played in at least 1 previous Masters, 11/13 winners had played in at least 2 previous Masters
Previous Wins: 3/13 had at least 1 previous Masters win (Woods, Watson, Scheffler)
Previous Top 5s: 10/13 had at least 1 previous Masters top 5 (Willett 38th, Reed 22nd, Scheffler 18th)
Previous Top 10s: 10/13 had at least 1 previous Masters top 10 (Willett 38th, Reed 22nd, Scheffler 18th)
Previous Best Finish: 12/13 had finished 22nd or higher in a previous Masters Tournament (Willett 38th)
Last Appearance: 11/13 finished in the top 38 the year before they won the Masters (Reed MC, Bubba T50)
Under-Par Opening Round: Not since Tiger Woods opened with a 74 in 2005 has a Masters winner failed to break par on Thursday, and only 6 of those have failed to break 70 on day one and then gone on to win. That was McIlroy, who opened last year with a 70.
Position After Round 1: 12/13 were in the top 11 after Round 1
Position After Round 2: 13/13 were in the top 8 after Round 2
Position After Round 3: 12/13 were in the top 3 after Round 3 (Willett 5th)
Season Trends
Season Starts: 11/13 had played in at least 6 previous events that season (Scott 4, Woods 5)
Season Wins: 9/13 had at least 1 previous win that season (Scott, Reed, Woods, Matsuyama)
Season Top 5s: 12/13 had at least 1 previous top 5 that season (Matsuyama)
Season Top 10s: 11/13 had at least 2 previous top 10 finishes that season (Matsuyama 0, Sergio only had one top 10 but was a win)
Previous Event: 12/13 finished 31st or higher on their last start before the Masters (Bubba WD at Bay Hill before winning in 2014)
Let’s do this, then. For the top 10 of the 2026 Masters Power Rankings, I’ve roped in TG‘s resident betting expert and stats guru Tom Jacobs to help me out. Starting with…
10. Matt Fitzpatrick
Masters record: MC-T7-32-T38-T21-T46-T34-T14-10-T22-T40
Rounds under par: 16/42
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-78
Scoring average: 72.36
Augusta earnings: $1,549,391
Went into last year’s Masters outside the top 70 in the world rankings. He’ll head back to Augusta in a career-high 5th. Only one player has beaten him in his last two starts at The Players and Valspar Championship, and he has never looked more dialed in. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get paired with Patrick Cantlay or Brian Harman at any point…
Tom says…
What a run it’s been for Fitzpatrick, whose rocket up the rankings are thanks to 11 top-10 finishes in 19 starts, including two wins.
His major breakthrough at the 2022 US Open was magic, but it was here at Augusta where he first tasted major contention in 2016 having got himself in the mix on Sunday following Jordan Speith’s unthinkable collapse – and has not missed a cut since his debut 12 years ago.
Statistically, Fitzpatrick is one of the most well-rounded players on the PGA Tour, ranking 3rd in SG Tee to Green, 7th in SG Approach the Green, 16th in SG Off the Tee, and 7th in Total. On top of that, he’s sitting 26th in SG Around the Green, so it’s only his putting, where he ranks 97th, where he can realistically make improvements.
The Englishman is more than capable of putting well at Augusta, and if he does that, he will be among the challengers and is fairly-priced to make a run. If he keeps playing the way he is right now, he can contend anywhere.
9. Patrick Reed
Masters record: MC-T22-T49-MC-1-T36-T10-T8-T35-T4-T12-3
Rounds under par: 22/44
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-79
Scoring average: 71.73
Augusta earnings: $5,460,851
Shot four rounds under par here last year to finish just one shy of making the playoff with Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. Honestly, you just wouldn’t put it past him, would you?
Tom says…
Since quitting LIV for a season on the DP World Tour, Reed has finished 26th and 1st in Dubai, 2nd in Bahrain, and then won again in Qatar. In two starts in South Africa since, he’s finished 10th and 29th, and he’s more than ready to make a run at Augusta again.
Powering his form on the DP World Tour this season is his iron game.He ranks 2nd in SG Approach, 5th in Greens in Regulation, and ultimately leads the Tour in SG Tee to Green. Despite there being some room for improvement off the tee, he’s also 4th in Scrambling and 14th in SG Around the Green. Reed possesses a simply magical short game, so as long he continues hitting the ball as well as he has been, he’ll contend again.
He’d love to be driving it better, but four top-10 finishes here in the seven starts since his 2018 win means he’ll tee up confident of once again slipping into that Green Jacket.
8. Tommy Fleetwood
Masters record: MC-T17-T36-T19-T46-T14-33-T3-T21
Rounds under par: 14/34
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-78
Scoring average: 72.00
Augusta earnings: $2,000,749
After waiting years for a win on US soil, two came along in the space of a few weeks at the Tour Championship and Ryder Cup. Now he’s added a TGL title to the list! Can you think of anyone who would look better slipping into that Green Jacket on Sunday?
Tom says…
In his first seven starts at Augusta, Fleetwood failed to break the top 10, then he finished T3 in 2024 with an Augusta caddie on the bag while his regular bagman, Ian Finnis, was recovering from surgery.
That effort two years ago will give him the confidence that he can contend here, so while there other majors he’s more suited to, he does rank among the top 10 contenders here.
As for domestic form, he’s had top-10 finishes at Pebble, Riviera and Sawgrass – but his stats are a concern. While he ranks 1st on the PGA Tour in Around the Green and 5th in SG Tee to Green, he’s 41st in SG Off the Tee, 55th in SG Approach, and – most concerning – 119th in SG Putting. We’ll choose to focus on the 15th in SG Total, instead.
We prefer his chances in the summer majors, but don’t be surprised if he contends here.
7. Cameron Young
Masters record: MC-T7-T9-MC
Rounds under par: 3/12
Lowest and highest rounds: 67-79
Scoring average: 72.92
Augusta earnings: $1,155,500
Shot a career-worst 79 in the second round last year to miss the cut and finish lower than, among others, Mike Weir, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, and amateurs Hiroshi Tai and Justin Hastings. But Young is a new man now. Since that day he’s become a two-time PGA Tour champion – including The Players last month – and was the red, white and blue’s standout performer at the Ryder Cup.
Tom says…
His first and most recent visits to Augusta may have resulted in missed cuts, but the two times he’s made the weekend here he’s finished T7 and T9, and twice in 2023 he broke 70 – a big prerequisite for future winners here.
He now has top-10 finishes under his belt in all four majors, including three in the top-4, so he’s served the apprenticeship on the biggest of stages.
Young comes here as one of the form players, too. In his last three PGA Tour starts, he’s been beaten by just eight players thanks to a T7 at Riviera, T3 at Bay Hill, and then that victory at Sawgrass.
This year, Young ranks 3rd in SG Off the Tee, 9th in SG Tee to Green and 8th in SG Total, and he’s steady on Approach, ranking 25th. He’s 49th in Putting and 69th in Around the Green, which shows there are weaknesses in his game, but his strengths will put him firmly in the mix at Augusta.
Sure, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau may both be more accomplished than the new World No.3, but I really like Young’s chances here.
6. Ludvig Aberg
Masters record: 2-7
Rounds under par: 5/8
Lowest and highest rounds: 68-73
Scoring average: 70.38
Augusta earnings: $2,863,500
Took to Augusta like a duck to water and only a rampaging Scottie Scheffler stopped him becoming just the second player in modern times to win on debut. Last year’s 7th doesn’t really tell the whole story given he was tied for 3rd with Patrick Reed stood on the 72nd tee, only to triple-bogey the hole and stumble down the leaderboard. There is one big concern with Aberg, which I’m sure Tom will discuss…
Tom says…
Ah, yes, the Curious Case of Ludvig Aberg. I never really know where I’m at with the Swede, I’m constantly caught between him being slightly overrated and him being every part as good as advertised, but his recent lack of killer instinct is a concern.
Aberg should have won The Players, but for a final-round 76, and that came after finishing tied-3rd at Bay Hill. Normally, that sort of form would be encouraging, but you have to wonder how much that loss at Sawgrass will affect him.
His steely demeanor suggests it won’t, and it’s best not to write off players of Aberg’s calibre, but there simply has to be some question marks.
Ranking 12th in SG Tee to Green and 14th in SG Total, Aberg is clearly in solid enough form, but he ranks outside the top 20 in SG Approach and Off the Tee, and outside the top 50 in both short game areas. That’s mainly down to a poor start to the season, but he would have liked to prepare better statistically ahead of this year’s Masters.
You simply cannot ignore the start of what will no doubt be a long and storied relationship with Augusta National.
5. Xander Schauffele
Masters record: T50-T2-T17-T3-MC-T10-8-T8
Rounds under par: 16/30
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-78
Scoring average: 71.30
Augusta earnings: $3,381,637
Schauffele was very much in the mix in 2019 but, like several others, allowed Mr Woods (and us) to have that fairytale finish.
Could – perhaps should – have won in ’21 when he sent his ball for a swim at 16. He’s twice become a major champion since all that, though, and when you tag that onto the fact his record here is ludicrously good and his recent form, you can already start to picture him in a Green Jacket.
The question is: will they let him smoke a cigar in Butler Cabin?
Tom says…
Despite an injury-hit 2025, Schauffele still managed a win and two top-10s in four major starts, and he didn’t finish outside the top 30 in any of them.
A tie for 8th here was his third-straight top 10 and fifth in eight starts, and that record is the reason why the American is where he is in these rankings.
A slow start to the season would have put a few off, but he’s now finished inside the top-7 in three of his last four PGA Tour starts, including a season-best 3rd at The Players.
Statistically, Schauffele is not jumping off the page, but he still ranks 14th for both SG Approach and SG Tee to Green, and ultimately 11th in SG Total. His 44th in Putting and 77th in Around the Green mean there’s work to do in the short game department, but no one is excelling in every area this season, so he’s not alone.
4. Rory McIlroy
Masters record: T20-MC-T15-T40-T25-T8-4-T10-T7-T5-T21-T5-MC-2-MC-T22-1
Rounds under par: 36/62
Lowest and highest rounds: 64-80
Scoring average: 71.45
Augusta earnings: $8,543,021
We backed McIlroy for glory last year and – well, you know the rest. Can he do it again? He’s making it as difficult as he possibly can by taking a three-week break before heading down Magnolia Lane. The last time he did that, he finished in a tie for 40th.
Couple that with all the extra commitments that comes with being the defending champion, and the fact that only three players have ever gone back-to-back here (and only one of those defended their first Masters title), and it’s a recipe to just enjoy the week, bank your top 10, and think about another Green Jacket next year.
Tom says…
I actually think McIlroy is bloody-minded enough to win the Masters as the defending champion.
I think he’ll come to Augusta feeling like, for the first time, there is absolutely no weight on his shoulders.
My main concern is his health – you simply don’t come here and win if you’re not 100 percent – but statistically, McIlroy is in great shape. He ranks 1st in SG Tee to Green, 2nd in SG Off the Tee, 11th in SG Approach the Green, and 18th in SG Around the Green. Like so many others, though, his SG Putting stats – in why he’s 109th – let him down.
So the stats suggest he’s in fine fettle, and if he’s fully fit you have to put him up there. Like Scottie Scheffler, though, there are question marks over the two players at the top of the market.
3. Jon Rahm
Masters record: T27-4-T9-T7-T5-T27-1-T45-T14
Rounds under par: 19/36
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-77
Scoring average: 71.00
Augusta earnings: $5,456,217
Happy to write off Rahm’s T45 a couple of years ago because it was his first major appearance after joining LIV and he spent the entire week sulking.
You do worry that his off-course spats – this time with the DP World Tour – play on his mind somewhat.
Joining LIV might mean his great-great grandkids won’t need to work, but it may have cost him a few majors.
If you like stats, he’s the best golfer so far in 2026, according to DataGolf. And that simply cannot be ignored.
Tom says…
Forget the off-course shenanigans, it’s only when Rahm has a club in his had that we care about here and the Spaniard will tee up at Augusta feeling as good about his chances as he’s ever done.
He could – and perhaps should – have won his first two events of the season, losing in Riyadh and Adelaide having led through 54 holes, before getting over the line in Hong Kong before another runner-up in South Africa – this time in a playoff defeat to Bryson DeChambeau.
Rahm leads the LIV Golf season in Birdies, ranks inside the top 10 for Eagles, and no one has hit more Greens in Regulation than he has. When he does miss the short stuff, he ranks 4th in Scrambling, and while he could improve his Putting stats, it’s clearly not got in his way so far this season.
He’s got work to do to return to his former glory at Augusta but, after a brief major wobble in the months after joining LIV, he’s had three top-10s in his last five major starts.
Don’t rule him out of becoming a multiple Masters champion this year.
2. Scottie Scheffler
Masters record: T19-T18-1-T10-1-4
Rounds under par: 18/24
Lowest and highest rounds: 66-75
Scoring average: 70.33
Augusta earnings: $8,045,325
It seems Scheffler hasn’t quite got to grips with defending the Green Jacket just yet, but his record when he’s not is as good as anyone.
There’s not much more to say, really. If you beat Scheffler at Augusta National, there’s a pretty good chance you’re the new Masters champion.
Tom says…
Such is the quality of Scheffler’s play the past few years, you’d be a fool to rule him out on any given week – but this is the least confident we have been in a couple of years heading into Augusta.
That might seem a touch over-dramatic, given his first three starts of the season saw him finish 1st, 3rd and 4th, but he’s not finished inside the top 10 in three starts since, and he withdrew from the Houston Open before teeing it up so, like Rory McIlroy, will go to the Masters having not played for a month.
I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s amiss in Scheffler’s game right now. One of his strengths is how he responds to frustration, but even that seems to have deserted him.
In 2025, Scheffler came into this event ranking 3rd in SG Tee to Green, 7th in SG Off the Tee, 8th in SG Approach, and 3rd in SG Total. This year, he still ranks 3rd in SG Total, 7th in SG Tee to Green, and 10th in SG Off the Tee. The concern is that he has fallen to 78th in SG Approach. His short game is in far better shape than it was last year, ranking 5th in SG Around the Green and 19th in SG Putting, but he will have to find better iron play in the lead up, to contend this time around.
It’s incredibly hard to imagine a Masters where Scheffler isn’t in the mix – but make no mistake about it, if he doesn’t find his iron game, he faces an uphill battle.
Ultimately he’s won two of the last four, and he’ll no doubt regroup in time for his bid to earn a third Green Jacket, so there’s only so much worrying we do about the runaway World No.1 – and that’s what just edges him into second ahead of Jon Rahm.
But it’s not enough for him to top the 2026 Masters Power Rankings…
1. Bryson DeChambeau
Masters record: T21-T38-T29-T34-T46-T6-T5
Rounds under par: 10/32
Lowest and highest rounds: 65-80
Scoring average: 72.44
Augusta earnings: $1,733,003
That means leading the line is our favorite YouTube star.
The days of beefed-up Bryson calling Augusta a “par-67” and finishing in the mid-30s are long gone. DeChambeau knows how to put together a score around this place.
He was the most outspoken player about LIV Golf’s switch to 72 holes, but it didn’t take him long to realize just how much that would benefit him – and he’s proven that with back-to-back wins in Singapore and South Africa. He’s our man to beat.
Oh and Mr Ridley, just so you know, his jacket size is 44 long and his right arm is a bit longer than his left.
Tom says…
DeChambeau has been LIV Golf’s standout performer in the major championships since the league’s inauguration.
Since 2022, he has eight top-10 finishes in the Big Four, including consecutive runner-up spots at the PGA Championship and, of course, that second US Open triumph.
Most importantly for this particular ranking, though, are the 6th- and 5th-place finishes in his last two Masters – his two best results in this event to date, and more than enough to convince us he’s ready to don our sport’s most sought-after item of clothing. We thought he might do it last year, but we stuck to our guns and backed Rory McIlroy. Now it’s time for us to go back-to-back.
This season, DeChambeau has been on fire. More importantly, he’s in better form than he was when he arrived at Augusta 12 months ago.
DeChambeau leads the LIV Golf stats in Eagles, ranks T3 for Greens in Regulation, 7th in Scrambling, and T4 for Putting Average. Notably, though, he led the field in SG Around the Green at last year’s Masters, an area in which everyone suggested he would struggle, and he ranked 3rd in SG Off the Tee, 7th in SG Tee to Green, and above average in Putting. He says a 5 percent improvement in his wedge play will give him the edge at Augusta, and his last two tournaments suggest he’s on the right track.
He’s not been as accurate off the tee as he was at this point last year, but that’s won’t be the difference maker. Find better approach play this time around when it matters most, and he contends again. It really is that simple.
With concerns over Sheffler, Rahm and McIlroy, this is setting up to be a memorable week for DeChambeau.
(By the way, because I know Alex has forgotten about it, the answer to that quiz question about Mike Weir was Len Mattiace. And the other Finnish player was, of course, Mikko Ilonen. Well done if you got those at home.)
You can follow Alex and Tom on X: @byAlexPerry and @TomJacobs93