The 2025 Masters Tournament, the first major golf event of the year, is set to take place from Thursday to Sunday at Augusta National in Georgia.
Scottie Scheffler, the current champion, is entering as the favorite with odds of +475. He is closely followed by Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Jon Rahm.
Golf experts are sharing their predictions on who they believe will win, and betting experts are highlighting where they see betting opportunities. This preview will delve into the favorites and other key aspects leading up to the 2025 Masters.
Expert Picks
Matt Barrie
Pick: Rory McIlroy: Believes it`s his time to win.
Tory Barron
Pick: Brooks Koepka: Despite a disappointing performance at Augusta last year, Koepka is known for performing well in major championships. With five major titles and a strong Masters record, he thrives when underestimated. Barron believes Koepka will secure a green jacket, marking a significant win.
Jeff Darlington
Pick: Justin Thomas: Thomas has regained his form recently, achieving four top-10 finishes in his last eight starts. Darlington thinks the timing is perfect for Thomas to win the Masters.
Michael Eaves
Pick: Rory McIlroy: McIlroy`s current form is exceptional, supported by his performance statistics. His wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship make him the only player with multiple PGA Tour wins this year. Eaves notes a trend where the player with the most wins entering the Masters has won the green jacket for the past three years, suggesting this could be McIlroy`s year to complete the career Grand Slam.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell
Pick: Scottie Scheffler: Although Scheffler`s season start isn`t as dominant as usual, he has consistently finished in the top 10. Lawrence-Riddell anticipates Scheffler will win soon, and Augusta, a course where he has won twice, is a likely venue.
Andy North
Pick: Collin Morikawa: Morikawa`s consistent Masters record, with finishes of T3, T10, and 5th in his last three appearances, and strong recent play, including a near win at Bay Hill, make him a solid pick. North highlights Morikawa`s excellent iron play.
Laura Rutledge
Pick: Rory McIlroy: Rutledge is also picking McIlroy, citing his excellent season and improved mental game, believing he is ready to win the Masters and achieve the career Grand Slam.
Mark Schlabach
Pick: Rory McIlroy: Schlabach predicts McIlroy will finally win the Masters in his 11th attempt, completing the career Grand Slam. He emphasizes McIlroy`s strong form, including wins at the DP World Tour Championship, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Players Championship. Schlabach notes McIlroy`s driving, iron play, and putting are all in top form.
Marty Smith
Pick: Rory McIlroy: Smith believes McIlroy is playing the best golf of his career and is the most complete player he has ever been. McIlroy`s confidence in all aspects of his game and momentum from wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship support this prediction. McIlroy`s relaxed and confident mindset entering the Masters further strengthens Smith`s pick.
Curtis Strange
Pick: McIlroy and Scheffler in a playoff: Strange predicts a McIlroy vs. Scheffler playoff, suggesting a thrilling tournament conclusion.
Paolo Uggetti
Pick: Will Zalatoris: Zalatoris has an impressive early Masters record with no finish worse than T9 in three starts. Uggetti highlights his second-place finish in 2021 and multiple top-10 major finishes. Despite a past injury, Zalatoris is now healthy and capable of winning at Augusta.
Scott Van Pelt
Pick: Rory McIlroy: Van Pelt`s pick is McIlroy based on form, preparation, and timing. He feels it is simply McIlroy`s time to win.
David Wilson
Pick: Bryson DeChambeau: DeChambeau had a strong first round at last year`s Masters and went on to win the U.S. Open and have other high major finishes. Wilson believes DeChambeau has matured and learned how to win at Augusta.
Betting Roundtable
Odds by ESPN BET
Who is your pick to win?
David Gordon, ESPN Research
Winner: Collin Morikawa (+1400)
Gordon believes Morikawa combines current form and Augusta success, similar to Jon Rahm before his 2023 Masters win. Morikawa leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained on approach and fairway accuracy at Augusta. His consistent top-15 finishes in past Masters rounds support his potential.
Tyler Fulghum, ESPN BET Live host
Winner: Rory McIlroy (+600)
Fulghum believes it`s McIlroy`s time to win the green jacket after a decade of chasing it. He suggests waiting for Round 1 or 2 to potentially get better odds on McIlroy, expecting a weekend charge. Fulghum emphasizes McIlroy`s readiness.
Pamela Maldonado, betting analyst
Winner: Collin Morikawa (+1400)
Maldonado agrees with Morikawa, highlighting his consistent improvement at Augusta and the advantage of rain-softened greens. She emphasizes Morikawa`s precision, control, and poise as key for winning at Augusta, not needing a hot putter, just a steady one.
Anita Marks, ESPN betting analyst
Winner: Rory McIlroy (+600)
Marks focuses on “strokes gained: tee to green” and driving distance as key metrics. McIlroy ranks high in both, and favorable weather conditions will allow him to reach par 5s in two shots, giving him an advantage.
Who is your favorite bet to make the Top 10?
Gordon: Sepp Straka (+525)
Straka ranks in the Top 10 for both fairways hit and greens in regulation on the PGA Tour this season. Gordon sees +525 as good odds for a player with a win and multiple top-10 finishes this season. Straka`s improving Masters record also supports this pick.
Fulghum: Sergio Garcia (+600)
Despite playing on the LIV Tour, Garcia is in strong form with multiple top finishes this year. Fulghum highlights Garcia`s strong tee-to-green performance recently, making him a good bet for a Top 10.
Maldonado: Corey Conners (+800)
Conners is in peak form with strong tee-to-green play. Maldonado notes his good Augusta history with past top 10s. She believes rain-softened greens will favor ball strikers like Conners, making him a solid Top 10 bet despite putting risks.
Marks: Russell Henley (+380)
Henley has a strong Augusta record, including a T4 finish in 2023. Marks highlights his excellent season, including a win at Bay Hill and frequent top-10 finishes. She believes Henley`s consistent game will place him high on the leaderboard.
What is your favorite Scottie Scheffler bet?
Fulghum: Top American golfer (+270)
Due to Scheffler`s high win odds, Fulghum finds better value in betting him as the top American golfer, eliminating non-American contenders. He still suggests waiting for live odds after Round 1 or 2 for potentially better value.
Gordon: To finish the first round Inside the top 10 (+162)
Gordon agrees Scheffler`s outright odds are less appealing. He highlights Scheffler`s strong first-round Masters history, finishing in the top 10 in most of his past Masters rounds and often starting strong. He sees value in betting Scheffler to be in the Top 10 after the first round.
Maldonado: To finish the first round Inside the top 10 (+162)
Maldonado also favors betting Scheffler to finish in the top 10 after the first round. She emphasizes his exceptional ball-striking, which creates a high floor even with a volatile putter. Rain-softened greens further reduce putting pressure, making his tee-to-green game even more valuable for a strong first round.
Who are your favorite long shots/value bets (let`s say 50-1 or longer)
Gordon: Cameron Young (+17500)
Despite a poor season start, Gordon sees value in Young at 175-1 odds. He notes Young`s past higher ranking and potential to quickly regain form, pointing to a recent T18 finish as a possible turnaround.
Fulghum: Phil Mickelson (+10000)
Fulghum always sees Mickelson as a potential contender at Augusta due to his course knowledge. While Mickelson`s game isn`t as consistent as before, his experience and past Masters success, including a T2 finish two years ago, make him a valuable long shot at 100-to-1 odds.
Maldonado: Robert MacIntyre (+5500)
MacIntyre is trending positively with solid Augusta finishes in limited starts. Maldonado notes his improving form since a past injury, especially his ball-striking. She sees him as a steady player suited for Augusta and a good value bet, especially for a Top 20 finish.
Are there any other bets that stand out to you?
Gordon: Russell Henley over Patrick Cantlay (Full tournament matchup: +100)
Gordon favors Henley in a head-to-head matchup against Cantlay. He highlights Henley`s strong season and consistent Masters record, while Cantlay has less impressive recent Masters performances. Gordon sees this as another way to bet on Henley`s strong play.
Fulghum: Max Homa to miss the cut (-115)
Fulghum lacks confidence in Homa, citing his recent poor form and missed cuts in multiple events, including signature events with similar cut rules to the Masters. He is betting against Homa making the cut.
Maldonado: Tyrell Hatton to make the cut: No (+240)
Maldonado is betting against Hatton making the cut, believing Augusta punishes aggressive play. She describes Hatton as volatile and reactive, which is not suited to Augusta`s demands for patience. She notes Hatton`s recent struggles off the tee and inconsistent short game, predicting potential “fireworks” of the wrong kind if he starts poorly.
Marks: Top American golfer — Collin Morikawa (+800)
Marks also sees value in betting Morikawa as the top American golfer. She reiterates his strong “strokes gained: tee to green” ranking, crucial for Augusta success, and his consistent top-10 Masters finishes, indicating course knowledge and potential to win a green jacket.
