Neil Parker
• Betting Analyst
16+ years betting experience
Updated:
Apr 9, 2026 , 09:11 PM ET
• 4 min read
Parker’s prediction: Experience pays at Augusta National, and Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy are all set to play well in Round 2.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Defending champion Rory McIlroy during Round 1 of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National.
The opening round of the 2026 Masters is complete, with defending champion Rory McIlroy and five-time PGA Tour winner Sam Burns sharing the lead and sitting two shots clear of the trio tied for third.
There were significant shakeups in the Masters odds, with contenders Jon Rahm (+6) and Bryson DeChambeau (+4) struggling in Round 1.
Here are my top Round 2 Masters picks and Rory McIlroy best bet for Friday, April 10.
Best Masters Round 2 predictions
| Golfer | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
| Brooks Koepka | Top 20 | 52¢ -108 |
| Adam Scott | Top 20 | 48¢ +101 |
| Rory McIlroy | End of Round 2 Leader | 32¢ +198 |
Top 20: Brooks Koepka (-108/52¢)
Considering Brooks Koepka played in the more difficult afternoon conditions and ranked fourth in true strokes gained on approach and ninth in tee-to-green play in Round 1, there’s strong value at this price.
His Thursday 70 has him T17, and he’s set to tee off at 9:55 a.m. ET for Round 2.
The struggle for Koepka continues to be his putter, as he lost true strokes on the greens Thursday. Still, his tee-to-green game was sharp, and he made five birdies, so the potential to go low is there.
Top 20: Adam Scott (+101/48¢)
Adam Scott fired an even-par 70 in Round 1 despite hitting just nine of 18 greens in regulation and ranking 74th in true strokes gained on approach.
Scott has gained on approach in each of his past two trips to Augusta National, as well as in all seven PGA Tour events this season, so I’m expecting the iron play to tighten up for the Aussie.
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Rory McIlroy Round 2 best bet
A smooth opening-round 67 has Rory McIlroy tied for first, and despite hitting only five of 14 fairways, he still finished third in true strokes gained tee-to-green.
The defending champion also gained true strokes in the other four metrics, including ranking fifth on approach, and his only hiccup was a bogey on No. 3.
With McIlroy and Sam Burns already two strokes clear of the trio in third, I like McIlroy to pull away Friday, as Burns duplicating his Round 1 play will be incredibly difficult considering his ho-hum statistics and results coming into the event.
Best bet: Rory McIlroy End of Round 2 Leader (+198/32¢)
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