In the end, it was Scottie Scheffler, with the wine glass, at Christmas.
Forgive the “Clue” game usage, though no one has had a hint recently on how to knock off Scheffler at the Masters. With two green jackets in three years, he’s become as much of a spring ritual as the blooming of the azaleas.
But then he wanted some Italian.
Over Christmas, while trying to prepare ravioli, he said he sliced his right hand — and suddenly opportunity also opened up. Paws, of course, are important, and that’s perhaps shown. In the six events since Scheffler’s return in late January, he’s been good — six top 25s — but not producing at the rate he did in 2024, when he won nine times in 21 starts.
The question is, is that enough to make you consider someone else at this week’s Masters? Do you buy into lingering rust? Do you think he’s still hurting?
Or do you believe him when he says he feels he’s back in form, which means those wins are also returning?
“I liked the way my swing started to feel over the weekend,” Scheffler said two weeks ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, his last start before this week.
“I felt like I holed a good amount of putts this week, especially under pressure on the back nine today. Felt like I hit my lines really well and did some good things out there. So definitely some positive momentum going into next week.”
What do we make of it all? You’ve clicked on the right story.
Below, members of our staff have each made a to-win selection to assist you with your own weekly picks, whether those are for a low-stakes office fantasy league, or (legal!) big-bucks bets with a sportsbook. It’s an enjoyable endeavor for us. Deploy it as you wish.
On to our analysis.
PGA Tour golfers aren't the only ones who can make some 💰 starting next Thursday. You can too! Here are a few tips. https://t.co/uldLYRZvRh
To-win: Bryson DeChambeau, +2200. I’m finding it really hard not to go with Rory to end his major drought, but I’ll let him prove it before I pick him. The cream always rises to the top at the Masters — look at the past decade’s worth of winners — so I won’t get too cute here. Give me Bryson to win his first green jacket. He’s coming off his best finish there and will take advantage of a field that has two other favorites (Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele) still a touch rusty following time off with injuries. (P.S. — I really like Collin Morikawa this week too.)
Adam Christensen
To-win: Collin Morikawa, +1600. It’s tough to choose among the trio of Scheffler, McIlroy and Morikawa at the top. All three have been playing fantastic golf this year, but Morikawa has managed to get in the top three on the odds list despite not winning since October of 2023. His golf has been consistently superb, and the golf gods tend to reward that level of play eventually. Since his odds are the longest out of the three, I think he is the favorite to bet.
Dylan Dethier
To-win: Xander Schauffele, +2000. Did you forget about this guy? Just because he got a little rib injury, or whatever? Did you forget that he’s won two of the past three majors? That he hasn’t finished outside the top 20 in a major in three years? That he’s nearly won this thing before? Look, 77-81 on the weekend at the Players was admittedly a bit of misdirection. But that just means we’re bagging more value here. (And maybe stuff in a little Lowry 40-1 just for kicks.)
Alex Gelman
To-win: Ludvig Aberg, +1600. This is exactly what golf needs. The best young player in golf winning on golf’s biggest stage. Ludvig has got all the tools in the bag to win a green jacket. He was also just featured on “Warming Up” with Dylan Dethier. Give me Ludvig!
To win: Rory McIlroy: +650. There’s just no way this guy doesn’t win the Masters. He’s won twice already this year and I don’t think he’s even really had a peak week yet. If he figures out the driver next week, he’ll finally get the Masters monkey off his back. This is a pick with the heart and not the mind, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
Jessica Marksbury
To-win: Scottie Scheffler, +400. His putter showed encouraging signs of life in Houston, where he posted his best finish of the season thus far (T2!), and when Scheffler’s flatstick is on, there’s no stopping him.
Maddi MacClurg
To-win: Ludvig Aberg, +1600. How can you not bet on Ludvig Aberg for the Masters? His elite ball-striking lends itself to both his approach off the tee and into the greens, which is key to creating birdie opportunities at ANGC. And don’t forget that Aberg almost walked home with the green jacket last year — which was his first appearance at Augusta National.
Kris McCormack
To-win: Jon Rahm, +1400. Rahm is winning the Masters. He is a previous champion, knows the golf course well, and has been playing well this season. He is really comfortable with where his game is currently and still ranked 80th in the Official World Golf Ranking, despite not earning any points from LIV events.
Nick Piastowski
To-win: Collin Morikawa, +1600. He’ll win here eventually, so why not this year? Not playing since the Players is a concern, but if his putter is on, he’ll contend.
To-win: Rory McIlroy, +650. If not now, then when? Rory is playing statistically the most complete golf in his career. His decision to improve his course management a la Scottie Scheffler has paid dividends so far, and it should keep him in the thick of things at Augusta. I think he starts Sunday one or two back but vanquishes his Masters demons and gets it done. It’s time.
Josh Sens
To-win: Rory McIlroy, +650. The “golf gods” don’t exist, but if they did, they’d realize that Rory has been punished enough here. He’s playing as well as ever. Time for it to finally happen.
Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for editing, writing and developing stories across the golf space. And when he’s not writing about ways to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native is probably playing the game, hitting the ball left, right and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash away his score. You can reach out to him about any of these topics — his stories, his game or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.
