WATCH IT: See what will be different about Augusta for the 2027 Masters
Augusta’s skyline transformation for the 2027 Masters with a new entertainment complex, arena, ice hockey, and Urban Adventure Center.
Trying to predict the winner at the Masters is like trying to win a court case against a billion dollar corporation. It likely won’t end well, but people still do it. Why? For the love of the game of course, and the potentially massive payout.
On that rare occasion that someone picks out the exact winner from the field of 93 (possibly 94 depending on the results of the Valero Texas Open) golfers, the feeling is immaculate. The natural inconsistency of golf is beautiful in a sense, but it makes predicting a winner, or even a top-10 finisher that much harder.
Other bets at Augusta aren’t much easier. There is no world where anyone can 100% confidently say there will be a hole-in-one or albatross at any point in the tournament. However, there are those of us out there brave enough to make such bold claims. There are those of us willing to put our money where are mouths are and try to do the impossible. Indeed a very noble cause.
Here are expert predictions for the 2026 Masters Tournament from around the internet:
2026 Masters predictionsRoss Kelly, CBS Sports: Collin Morikawa is a good bet
Kelly writes, “Even though [Morikawa]’s a longshot at +2700 and just withdrew from the Valero Texas Open this week. He already has a PGA Championship and Open Championship on his resume, but Morikawa has been more consistent at the Masters than any other major. At no major does he have more top-fives (two), top 10s (three) or top 25s (five) than at Augusta National, which includes top-15 finishes in each of the last four years. The seven-time PGA Tour winner also enters in playing his best in years, as he prevailed at Pebble Beach in mid-February, ending a 45-start winless drought and then followed that up with a seventh place at the Genesis.”
Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY: Patrick Reed will easily finish top-20
Now this guy Hoefling is a total dunce, notorious for his horrendous predictions. He could say the sun will rise tomorrow, and that would just so happen to be the day that evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz completes his “Block out the sun-inator.” However, he may be onto something with Patrick Reed.
He writes, “In the seven Masters Tournaments since his victory, he’s finished top-12 or better in five of them, and that includes a top-10 finish in three of his last five Masters appearances.” That kind of consistency is hard to find at Augusta, making him a safe bet to finish within the top-20 or at least make the cut.
Brady Kannon, SportsLine: Fade Tyrell Hatton
Kannon says, “I see the other three majors as better fits for Hatton and not the test that the Masters presents. Furthermore, his game has been quite inconsistent on the LIV circuit this season with finishes of 47th, 45th and 38th wrapped around a 3rd and a 10th. The Masters, or any major, really, is not necessarily receptive to volatility in one’s current game. Remember: Here, we are dealing with 50-some players on LIV and Hatton ranks 44th in scrambling, 33rd for greens in regulation and 27th in putting average.”
How to watch 2026 Masters
The Masters Tournament begins Thursday, April 9 with the Honorary Starters Ceremony beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET on Masters.com or through the Masters app. The first round broadcast will begin at 1 p.m. ET on Prime Video before moving to ESPN from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET for the remainder of the round.
The broadcast schedule will remain the same for Rounds 1 and 2. The final two rounds can be found on Paramount+ from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET or on CBS from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET.