The Masters Tournament, in its 89th edition, is just around the corner. The big questions are: Can anyone stop Scottie Scheffler? Which golfers from the LIV circuit could contend for the coveted Green Jacket? And are there any first-time participants who might surprise?
From prominent players to newcomers and potential dark horses, here are five major storylines to follow at Augusta National this week.
Spotlight on the Top Contenders
Mark Schlabach: All eyes will be on the world`s top two ranked players, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. A head-to-head battle between Scheffler and McIlroy on Sunday at Augusta National would be a thrilling spectacle for a sport recently dominated by financial controversies and divisions.
Scheffler has been the dominant force in men`s golf for a significant part of the last three years. He`s aiming to join the legendary Jack Nicklaus as only the second golfer to win the Masters three times in four years. Furthermore, he could become just the fourth golfer to win consecutive Green Jackets, following in the footsteps of Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.
Despite missing the first month of the season due to a hand injury and not yet securing a win in 2025, Scheffler`s Augusta National prowess is undeniable. McIlroy, with two tour victories already this season, is also in top form and seeking his first Masters title to complete a career Grand Slam and end a major championship drought spanning over a decade.
Paolo Uggetti: While much attention is deservedly given to Scheffler and McIlroy, the intrigue of the first major of the year lies in the unpredictable. This leads me to focus on two LIV Golf players who should be considered among the favorites: Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
Rahm is a past Masters champion, and DeChambeau is fresh off a major win at the U.S. Open last year, along with other strong major finishes. However, after three years of LIV Golf, it`s still uncertain how consistently LIV players` form will translate to major championships. DeChambeau demonstrated his ability to contend in majors last year, but his last LIV victory was in September 2023. This adds an element of suspense to DeChambeau`s performance at Augusta, making every shot captivating. The same applies to Rahm, whose LIV results this season have been consistently high, suggesting his game is peaking at the right time.
Rookies to Keep an Eye On
Schlabach: Thomas Detry, a former college golf standout, earned his first PGA Tour win at the WM Phoenix Open. He also had impressive major finishes last year, including a tie for fourth at the PGA Championship and 14th at the U.S. Open.
While Detry`s putting is strong, his iron play has been inconsistent, and it`s questionable whether he`ll find enough fairways at Augusta National to truly contend.
Aaron Rai from England is another player with recent major success, tying for 19th at both the 2021 Open Championship and last year`s U.S. Open. Rai`s statistical rankings are impressive, particularly in driving accuracy, and he enters the Masters with good momentum from recent top finishes.
Uggetti: Maverick McNealy`s journey to the Masters has been years in the making, finally arriving after a win at the RSM Classic. He`s currently playing some of the best golf of his career, with multiple top-10 finishes this season.
McNealy`s strong putting and approach play should serve him well at Augusta. If he can drive accurately and improve his short game around the greens, the course could be a good fit for his style of play.
Course Conditions and Hurricane Impact
Schlabach: The course was firm and fast leading up to the Masters, but recent heavy rainfall has changed conditions. However, Augusta National`s advanced SubAir system is working to remove excess water. The forecast for the week is favorable with warm temperatures and minimal rain expected after Friday morning.
Hurricane Helene, which impacted the area in 2024, caused significant damage to Augusta National, including tree loss, particularly on holes 1 and 9. While visually noticeable, the tree removal is unlikely to drastically change playing strategy. The 16th green had to be rebuilt due to a fallen tree, and greens on holes 1, 8, and 15 were also renovated.
Uggetti: Xander Schauffele noted the noticeable absence of trees, especially on the 16th hole. He described the back nine as feeling almost new due to the changed landscape. While some trees used as aiming points are gone, Schauffele believes the course will play similarly to previous years. McIlroy echoed this sentiment, noting that while some tee shots might appear less intimidating visually, the course remains largely unchanged strategically.
LIV Golfers` Performance Expectations
Schlabach: With a dozen LIV players in the field, it`s plausible that a couple could finish in the top 10. However, predicting which ones is challenging due to inconsistent performances in 2025. A recent LIV tournament in Miami highlighted struggles for many top names.
DeChambeau was still refining his game leading into Miami. Rahm and Cameron Smith have strong Augusta track records, and Patrick Reed is also a consistent performer at the Masters, making them potential top-10 contenders.
Uggetti: LIV performances are difficult to predict. Brooks Koepka, despite a quiet year so far, could still contend in a major. Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, and Smith also have games suited for Augusta. However, Joaquín Niemann is the LIV player to watch closely this week. With two LIV wins and a victory at the Saudi International, he`s playing like a top player. Despite a less impressive major record, this could be Niemann`s breakthrough week.
Under-the-Radar Player to Watch
Schlabach: Russell Henley, ranked No. 7 in the world, isn`t getting enough attention despite his consistent success. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has multiple top-10 finishes this season.
Henley`s strengths—finding fairways and precise second shots—are crucial at Augusta. He excels in greens in regulation and driving accuracy and is a strong putter. After recent top finishes in majors, including a tie for fourth at the 2023 Masters, Henley, a Georgia native, could be poised for a Green Jacket.
Uggetti: Collin Morikawa, ranked No. 4 in the world, seems to be flying under the radar. Despite not winning recently, he`s been close and is currently leading in strokes gained: approach. Morikawa was in contention at last year`s Masters and with improved putting and strong motivation, he could be a major factor on Sunday. For a longer shot, Akshay Bhatia is a player to watch. If his putting is sharp, he could have a very good week at Augusta.
