The Green Jacket Race Begins

Augusta National opens its gates on April 9th for the first major of 2026, and the storylines are stacking up like shots into Rae's Creek. Scottie Scheffler arrives as the bookmakers' clear favourite, Rory McIlroy bids to become only the third man in the modern era to win back-to-back Masters titles, and Tiger Woods — just weeks removed from a frightening road accident — remains the sport's greatest question mark.

Scheffler: The Machine Aims for Green Jacket No.3

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has posted four consecutive top-ten finishes at Augusta, never finishing outside the top 20 in any Masters appearance. A third green jacket would place him among just nine players in history to achieve that feat. His odds sit at +480 — the only single-digit favourite — reflecting total market domination.

Scheffler withdrew from the Texas Children's Houston Open this week ahead of the birth of his second child, but fitness is not a concern. When Scheffler turns his attention to Augusta, the rest of the field is effectively playing for second.

McIlroy: Can He Write History Again?

Twelve months ago, Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta in one of sport's great moments, defeating Justin Rose in a play-off at 11-under par. No player has retained the green jacket since Tiger Woods won back-to-back in 2001 and 2002. McIlroy arrives at +1000, his season form inconsistent — runner-up at the Genesis Invitational and 14th at Pebble Beach, but a sobering 46th at The Players Championship this month. His putting, ranked outside the world's top 100 in strokes gained, remains the chief concern.

The Chasing Pack

Cameron Young arrives in blistering form after winning The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass this month at 13-under par. Ludvig Aberg — runner-up on his Augusta debut in 2024 — is listed at +1600 alongside Xander Schauffele. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau share the +1200 price as players capable of going low over four Augusta rounds. Morikawa, Fleetwood and Schauffele each have a chance to complete the career Grand Slam with a maiden Masters win.

Tiger: Golf's Greatest Question Mark

Woods made a brief competitive return in last week's TGL Finals for Jupiter Links Golf Club, only to suffer a 9-2 defeat to Los Angeles Golf Club. Following lumbar disc replacement surgery in late 2025, and a road incident confirmed by the Martin County Sheriff's Office on Friday, his Masters prospects remain deeply uncertain. Listed at +25000, Tiger is a longshot by every measure — but no odds sheet can capture what it means to see Woods walk Augusta's fairways in April.