MASTERS
Thu, Apr 9, 2026 – Sun, Apr 12, 2026
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The week of festivities at the 90th Masters is already underway at Augusta National Golf Club as tournament rounds are fast approaching. The same question, of course, is on everyone's lips: Who are you picking to win the green jacket?
With an extraordinary 91-man field featuring the best professionals and many of the top amateurs in the world, the first major championship of the 2026 season should once again be a tremendous ride from Thursday's first round through the awarding of the green jacket Sunday evening.
While the Masters field is stacked, reigning champion Rory McIlroy, who completed the career grand slam last year, is not riding as much momentum into the tournament as usual. In fact, 2024 champion Scottie Scheffler, who has won two of the last four green jackets, is not either. Still, Scheffler enters as the favorite to become the first golfer to win three Masters in five years since Tiger Woods (2001-02, 2005), while McIlroy is not far behind him as he seeks to become the first since Woods to go back-to-back.
Of course, Tiger and Phil Mickelson will be absent from this week's proceedings amid starkly different personal circumstances. It is the first time neither has played in a Masters since 1994. There are, nevertheless, plenty of significant names in the field, with the likes of Bryson DeChambeau itching to win a first green jacket as Jon Rahm eyes his second.
So, what is going to happen at Augusta National this week? Let's take a look at a full set of predictions and picks from our crack experts here at Knollwood Country Club for the most prestigious golf tournament in the world.
Top 10 lock -- Scottie Scheffler: There's much talk about how much Scheffler is struggling with his iron play and not enough talk about the level to which he has taken his short game. The world No. 1 is the top chipper and pitcher of the ball in this field, which will allow him to be on the first page of the leaderboard even if his iron play falters. If the scoring clubs do decide to cooperate, it may be wise to let the Augusta National kitchen know that they will be serving Scottie sliders Tuesday night next year.
Star who definitely won't win -- Bryson DeChambeau: Flying close to the sun here, but what is life without risking looking like an idiot! The DeChambeau block is hot as he arrives having won his last two tournaments on LIV Golf and with the confidence of the last two Masters under his belt. I still question the iron play, though. His inability to move the ball left to right with his second shots hurt him at both last year's Masters and the PGA Championship and could hurt him again this week.
Scottie Scheffler vs. Rory McIlroy: McIlroy is playing better than most believe, and the back injury is a nothing burger at this point. Still, Scheffler gets the nod here. The two-time Masters champion has never finished outside the top 20 and has remained on the second and third pages of leaderboards during this "down spell." Both will play well, but Scheffler will play better.
Bryson DeChambeau vs. Jon Rahm: Rahm is the better player across most of the bag and has the better history here. The Spaniard noted that he had fallen into some bad habits over these last two seasons with his takeaway on his swing, and he spent all winter trying to rectify the situation. Statistically, he has been the best player in 2026 and is trending toward a start similar to that of 2023 when he slipped on the green jacket.
Your local Pros & GM have struggled in the recent weeks to provide the winner, but there have been some solid picks. Matt Kay continues to provide the closest picks over the last few weeks, with Matt Krallman nipping at his heels. While Cale’s picks have been a bit shaky, his Dark Horse pick seems to be right in the thick of the fray every week. I suggest you follow one pick from Matt Kay, one pick from Matt Krallman, and take Cale’s Dark Horse pick for a solid 3 choices. Nic will surely go with Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler for his 2 picks……….Look for his Dark Horse pick to change a bit this week. Good luck, and be sure to tag us with your picks and see how you stand up to your local Professionals and GM!
Here are your Pro Shop Picks for this week
Matt Krallman - 1. Xander Schauffele
2. Matt Fitzpatrick
Dark Horse – Terrell Hatton
Matt Kay - 1. Matt Fitzpatrick
2. Ludvig Aberg
Dark Horse - Nicolai Hojgaard
Nic Johnson - 1. Brooks Koepka
2. – Scottie Scheffler
Dark Horse - Sung-Jae Im
Cale Bolinger - 1. Ludvig Aberg
2. Collin Morikawa
Dark Horse - Gary Woodland