Masters Picks and Predictions 2026: Scheffler Eyes Third Green Jacket

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⛳ Masters: Key takeaways

• Best early value: Ludvig Åberg (+1400). After a runner-up finish in 2024 and a seventh-place finish in 2025, Åberg has proven his game is built for Augusta. At +1400, he offers significant value compared to the favorites.

• Course: Success at Augusta National requires precise iron play to specific quadrants of tiered greens. For 2026, the 17th hole has been subtly lengthened by 10 yards, now playing at 450 yards. Distance is a massive advantage, but the swirling winds of Amen Corner remain the ultimate judge, jury, and executioner.

• Weather: The forecast for Masters Week is looking favorable. Highs will be in the low-to-mid 70s° with overnight lows in the 50s°. Precipitation chances are currently low (20–30%), though isolated light rain is possible during the early rounds.

• Expected cut: The cut includes the Top 50 players and ties. Historically, the cut line falls between 2-over and 5-over par, depending on how much the wind dries out the greens.

Course breakdown: What wins at Augusta National?

Augusta National Golf Club is a 7,565-yard Par 72 originally designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie and legendary golfer Bobby Jones. For the 2026 tournament, the course has been lengthened by 10 yards due to the 17th hole (Nandina) being extended to 450 yards.

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• Wide but deceptive fairways: While the fairways are generous and feature no traditional “rough,” the overseeded Perennial Ryegrass is mown toward the tee, creating “sticky” lies that demand perfect contact.

• The Par 5 advantage: With three of the four Par 5s measuring between 545 and 585 yards, scoring here is the primary requirement for a Green Jacket.

• Tiered Bentgrass Greens: The putting surfaces are the fastest in golf. Success requires “Proximity to Hole” stats that place the ball in specific quadrants to avoid defensive three-putts on the massive, undulating slopes.

Key stats & player profiles to target

While distance off the tee is a massive advantage at Augusta National to shorten the daunting Par 5s, the tournament is almost always won on the second shot. Players must hit high, towering irons that land softly on firm, undulating greens.

Because the greens are so fast, traditional driving accuracy (hitting fairways) is less important than driving distance and strokes gained approach, as missing the correct tier on a green leads to almost certain three-putts.

• Strokes gained approach: This is the No. 1 predictor of success at Augusta.

• Par-5 scoring: Winners typically play the Par 5s at 8-under to 12-under for the week.

• Scrambling from tight lies: There is no rough; players must chip off “tight” mown ryegrass, which requires elite hands.

• 3-putt avoidance: On the fastest greens in the world, lag putting is a survival skill.

Players to watch

• Ludvig Åberg (+1400): His combination of world-class length and a fearless approach to tiered greens has already netted him a runner-up (2024) and a seventh-place finish (2025) here. He enters 2026 in peak form after a 9-under 63 at THE PLAYERS last month.

• Jordan Spieth (+3300): While he’s no longer the home soil favorite he is in his native Texas, his Augusta IQ is unmatched. Even when his driver is erratic, Spieth’s sensational scrambling and familiarity with these specific breaks make him a threat for a Green Jacket.

Best Masters value picks

Ludvig Åberg (+1400)

Ludvig Aberg is as bright a young star as you’ll find on the PGA Tour, and the fact he finished runner-up in his Augusta National debut (and seventh in 2025) suggests a Green Jacket could be coming his way very soon.

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Collin Morikawa (+2500)

Collin Morikawa is rounding back into top form. He already has a win at Pebble Beach under his belt this season, and he just finished fifth at Bay Hill. He’s also finished inside the Top 20 in his last five trips to Augusta, including a career-best T3 in 2024.

2026 Masters odds

The Masters runs April 9-12 at Augusta National Golf Club. Below are the latest outright Masters odds.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of April 1, 2026.

Masters field and qualification

How do golfers qualify for the Masters?

• Past champions: Golfers who have won the Masters in previous years are automatically invited to participate for the rest of their careers.

• Current champions: Winners of other major championships (such as the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship) from the past year are invited to compete.

• PGA Tour winners: Golfers who have won PGA Tour events leading up to the Masters, typically over the past year, may also receive invitations.

• Amateur champions: Winners of certain top amateur tournaments, such as the U.S. Amateur Championship, are often invited to play.

• World Golf Rankings: The top players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) usually receive invitations.

• Qualifying tournaments: There are opportunities for golfers to qualify for the Masters through special tournaments and qualifiers, such as the U.S. Open or other international events.

Who gets special invitations to the Masters?

The Masters committee has the discretion to extend special invitations to golfers who may not meet the above criteria but have demonstrated exceptional talent or accomplishments in the past.

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For example, Joaquin Niemann, Ryo Hisatsune, and Thorbjorn Olesen all received special invitations to compete in the 2024 Masters, despite not being otherwise qualified.

How to watch & tee times

How to watch (all times ET):

Thursday, April 9 & Friday, April 10 (Rounds 1-2)

• 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | ESPN (“Welcome to the Masters”)

• 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Prime Video (New for 2026)

• 3:00 – 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Main broadcast)

Saturday, April 11 & Sunday, April 12 (Final Rounds)

• 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Paramount+ (Early weekend coverage)

• 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. | CBS (Main broadcast)

Masters betting links

The payout

The Masters has increased its purse to $21 million. Here’s how much the Top 4 golfers will pocket:

The coveted Green Jacket

Money isn’t the only thing that golfers play for at Augusta. There’s also the coveted Masters Green Jacket. This is a tradition that started in 1937 when all Augusta National members wore the jackets at the tournament to make them stand out from the public. It wasn’t until 1949 that the winners began receiving the Green Jacket — and the first one was awarded to Sam Snead.

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Past Masters winners

Masters betting FAQ

When is the 2026 Masters?

The 2026 Masters begins with the Honorary Starters on Thursday, April 9, and concludes with the Green Jacket ceremony on Sunday, April 12.

Where will the 2026 Masters be played?

The Masters is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The course is a Par 72 that has been lengthened to a record 7,565 yards for the 2026 tournament.

Who is the 2026 Masters favorite?

Scottie Scheffler (+500) is the solo favorite at BetMGM. He is followed by defending champion Rory McIlroy (+1000) and Bryson DeChambeau (+1000).

What are the Masters FRL markets?

First Round Leader (FRL) markets allow you to bet on which player will hold the lowest score after the first 18 holes on Thursday. Given Augusta’s morning/afternoon wind splits, tee times often play a huge role in this market.

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How do Masters matchup bets work?

In matchup betting, you pick one golfer to post a lower score than another specific golfer. You can bet on Tournament Matchups (who finishes higher after 72 holes) or Round Matchups (who shoots the better score in a single day).

What is the Masters cut line?

The Masters features one of the most difficult cuts in golf. Only the Top 50 players (plus ties) advance to the weekend. Unlike many PGA Tour events, there is no “10-shot rule” currently in effect; you must be in the Top 50 to play Saturday and Sunday.

Are the Masters odds the same across all sportsbooks?

No. While favorites like Scheffler will be low everywhere, you will see significant “price shopping” opportunities for mid-range players. For example, a player like Jordan Spieth might be +3300 at BetMGM but +4000 at another book. Always compare shops to maximize your potential payout.

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