Masters picks: Breaking down the favorites to win the Green Jacket in 2025
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The winner of the Green Jacket is likely to be one of the betting favorites. Scott Phillips breaks down the seven golfers he likes best at the 2025 Masters. When it comes to picking a winner for the 2025 Masters, favorites should play a huge factor during the event. As the most predictive course among annual PGA Tour stops, Augusta National tends to feature many of the same stars atop the leaderboard annually. Only one player among the past six Masters champions — Hideki Matsuyama (+4500) in 2021 — had odds longer than +1600. Favorites perform well during the Masters thanks in-part to the smallest field size of any major (95) which also features a lot of inexperienced amateurs and past-their-prime former champions who can’t generally keep up with golf’s superpowers over a four-round event. With those factors in mind, here’s a look at seven players who are most likely to find themselves rocking a new green jacket by Sunday night. You can bet on the final winner at FanDuel Sportsbook, but they are also offering pre-tournament odds boosts and promotions. You can get a no sweat bets on the first round leader, and also a 30% profit boost token on Top 10 and Top 20 Markets. Scottie Scheffler (+450) After winning two of the last three green jackets, Scheffler remains the favorite at Augusta National. Finishing in the top 20 in all five of his Masters appearances, Scheffler’s game translates to the fast-and-firm track on every level. The only blemish for Scheffler entering this week is the lack of a win in 2025. The No. 1 player in the world missed January on the PGA Tour after requiring surgery for a hand injury suffered attempting to cut homemade ravioli with a wine glass during Christmas dinner. Since his return from injury, Scheffler’s finished inside the top 25 in all six starts — including a tie for second two weeks ago in Houston. But he’s been sluggish around the greens all season — for Scottie’s insane recent standards — losing strokes in that category in four of six starts. Positive putting from Scheffler could offset some errant chips. The Texan posted his best putting performance over the last year (+1.77 strokes gained) in his most recent start. In Scheffler’s two wins at Augusta, he’s been on the positive side of strokes gained: putting while losing strokes in the other starts. History is also going against Scheffler’s attempt at another win. Should Scheffler win his third green jacket, he would be the fastest player to do so in only his sixth Masters appearance. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer all won their third titles in their eighth appearance at Augusta National. Rory McIlroy (+650) Yet another attempt at the career grand slam for McIlroy will be one of the major storylines of the week. Amazingly, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have both won major titles since Rory’s last at the 2014 PGA Championship. The extended major drought puts unique pressure on McIlroy — particularly after his late collapse at Pinehurst last summer. With six top tens in his last 10 appearances at Augusta, McIlroy is more than familiar with the grounds. He’s also in elite form to start the 2025 season. A winner at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass since the start of February, McIlroy defeated strong fields at championship-caliber courses. And McIlroy’s win at THE PLAYERS came in spite of a wild performance with the driver and was the only time he’s lost strokes around the green in his last six starts. There’s concern about an elbow injury that McIlroy casually mentioned after his T5 finish in Houston two weeks ago. McIlroy also made adjustments to his driver in the middle of that event and doesn’t seem completely comfortable with the biggest weapon in his bag. But if McIlroy cleans up the errant drives and overcomes a history of sluggish starts, this could be the year he finally finishes the career grand slam. Jon Rahm (+1400) Entering the 2025 Masters with something to prove, Rahm hasn’t won a four-round tournament since earning his green jacket in 2023. Since joining LIV Golf at the start of 2024, Rahm only has two wins (LIV UK and LIV Chicago) and one top-ten finish in a major (T7 at The Open). Last year’s disappointing major season saw Rahm finish T45 at the Masters, miss the cut at the PGA Championship and withdraw from the U.S. Open with a foot injury. A top-five finisher in all five LIV starts this season, Rahm’s high floor has been on display this season even with his game slightly out of sync. During a Masters tune-up at Doral last week, Rahm was poor around the greens (-1.01 strokes gained) and ended with a less-than-desirable T9 finish. It’s been awhile since Rahm displayed the dominant early ‘23 form that netted him four PGA Tour victories in four months. But if he’s on, Rahm possesses a ceiling that few in the sport can touch. Colin Morikawa (+1600) Good recent course history and stellar 2025 form makes
The winner of the Green Jacket is likely to be one of the betting favorites. Scott Phillips breaks down the seven golfers he likes best at the 2025 Masters.
When it comes to picking a winner for the 2025 Masters, favorites should play a huge factor during the event. As the most predictive course among annual PGA Tour stops, Augusta National tends to feature many of the same stars atop the leaderboard annually.
Only one player among the past six Masters champions — Hideki Matsuyama (+4500) in 2021 — had odds longer than +1600.
Favorites perform well during the Masters thanks in-part to the smallest field size of any major (95) which also features a lot of inexperienced amateurs and past-their-prime former champions who can’t generally keep up with golf’s superpowers over a four-round event.
With those factors in mind, here’s a look at seven players who are most likely to find themselves rocking a new green jacket by Sunday night. You can bet on the final winner at FanDuel Sportsbook, but they are also offering pre-tournament odds boosts and promotions. You can get a no sweat bets on the first round leader, and also a 30% profit boost token on Top 10 and Top 20 Markets.
Scottie Scheffler (+450)
After winning two of the last three green jackets, Scheffler remains the favorite at Augusta National. Finishing in the top 20 in all five of his Masters appearances, Scheffler’s game translates to the fast-and-firm track on every level.
The only blemish for Scheffler entering this week is the lack of a win in 2025. The No. 1 player in the world missed January on the PGA Tour after requiring surgery for a hand injury suffered attempting to cut homemade ravioli with a wine glass during Christmas dinner.
Since his return from injury, Scheffler’s finished inside the top 25 in all six starts — including a tie for second two weeks ago in Houston.
But he’s been sluggish around the greens all season — for Scottie’s insane recent standards — losing strokes in that category in four of six starts. Positive putting from Scheffler could offset some errant chips. The Texan posted his best putting performance over the last year (+1.77 strokes gained) in his most recent start. In Scheffler’s two wins at Augusta, he’s been on the positive side of strokes gained: putting while losing strokes in the other starts.
History is also going against Scheffler’s attempt at another win. Should Scheffler win his third green jacket, he would be the fastest player to do so in only his sixth Masters appearance. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer all won their third titles in their eighth appearance at Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy (+650)
Yet another attempt at the career grand slam for McIlroy will be one of the major storylines of the week. Amazingly, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have both won major titles since Rory’s last at the 2014 PGA Championship.
The extended major drought puts unique pressure on McIlroy — particularly after his late collapse at Pinehurst last summer. With six top tens in his last 10 appearances at Augusta, McIlroy is more than familiar with the grounds.
He’s also in elite form to start the 2025 season.
A winner at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass since the start of February, McIlroy defeated strong fields at championship-caliber courses. And McIlroy’s win at THE PLAYERS came in spite of a wild performance with the driver and was the only time he’s lost strokes around the green in his last six starts.
There’s concern about an elbow injury that McIlroy casually mentioned after his T5 finish in Houston two weeks ago. McIlroy also made adjustments to his driver in the middle of that event and doesn’t seem completely comfortable with the biggest weapon in his bag.
But if McIlroy cleans up the errant drives and overcomes a history of sluggish starts, this could be the year he finally finishes the career grand slam.
Jon Rahm (+1400)
Entering the 2025 Masters with something to prove, Rahm hasn’t won a four-round tournament since earning his green jacket in 2023. Since joining LIV Golf at the start of 2024, Rahm only has two wins (LIV UK and LIV Chicago) and one top-ten finish in a major (T7 at The Open).
Last year’s disappointing major season saw Rahm finish T45 at the Masters, miss the cut at the PGA Championship and withdraw from the U.S. Open with a foot injury.
A top-five finisher in all five LIV starts this season, Rahm’s high floor has been on display this season even with his game slightly out of sync. During a Masters tune-up at Doral last week, Rahm was poor around the greens (-1.01 strokes gained) and ended with a less-than-desirable T9 finish.
It’s been awhile since Rahm displayed the dominant early ‘23 form that netted him four PGA Tour victories in four months. But if he’s on, Rahm possesses a ceiling that few in the sport can touch.
Colin Morikawa (+1600)
Good recent course history and stellar 2025 form makes Morikawa an enticing choice among the favorites.
The two-time major champion finished in the top 18 his last four trips to Augusta (with top 10s in each of the last three years) and notably gained strokes in all four categories during all four events.
Blistering to start this PGA Tour season, Morikawa leads the tour in strokes gained: approach and birdie average with runner-up finishes at The Sentry and Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Concerns are developing, however, about Morikawa’s ability to close events. With only one worldwide win since Nov. 2021 — the ZOZO Championship in Oct. ‘23 — Morikawa isn’t winning many events for being an elite player. While bad luck against red-hot competition happens to every professional golfer, narratives about Morikawa’s lack of wins in recent years is something to monitor.
Xander Schauffele (+1800)
The number is extremely attractive for Schauffele as the reigning champion at both the PGA Championship and The Open. Schauffele being in his prime and finishing this low on the odds board is a byproduct of uncertainty following early-season injury.
Missing two months with a rib injury that still isn’t fully healed, Schauffele is finding his game in the buildup to the Masters. Playing only three PGA Tour events since early January, Schauffele showed glimpses of a turnaround with a T12 finish during March’s Valspar Championship — including a strong week with the irons (+2.88 SG: approach).
There’s also solid course history with four top-ten finishes for Xander at Augusta. A cold putter is something to watch for with Schauffele. Losing strokes in five of his last six events with the flat stick, Schauffele’s putting woes started during last year’s Tour Championship.
Bryson DeChambeau (+2000)
The reigning U.S. Open champion (and YouTube superstar) owns the talent to pick up his third major title. Questions arise, however, about DeChambeau’s shaky history at Augusta coupled with a mediocre start to 2025.
After famously labeling Augusta National a Par 67 a few years ago, Bryson missed back-to-back cuts amidst scrutiny for calling a golf cathedral’s difficulty into question. Humbled since making those remarks, DeChambeau seemingly figured out Augusta for the first time in 2024 with his best approach and putting numbers at the Masters. Bryson’s T6 finish included a lead after 36 holes.
Although he remains the most lethal driver in the sport — armed with a new driver that aims to reduce side spin — Bryson hasn’t figured out Augusta’s nuanced greens. Losing strokes around the green at Augusta each of the last four years, DeChambeau needs to be serviceable in that area to give himself a chance at a green jacket.
Underwhelming to begin the year, DeChambeau only has one top-five finish in five LIV events this season. The putter has been cold for Bryson, but improvement in that area fueled a fifth-place finish during a Masters tune-up at Doral last week.
Justin Thomas (+2200)
Golf’s most tortured artist turned a corner in 2025 after struggling at times in recent seasons. Even with solid recent form, Thomas and Augusta haven’t been on friendly terms lately.
Missing the cut in back-to-back Masters appearances, Thomas finished T22 or better in six consecutive Augusta trips before his career downturn. Improvements with the putter and driving accuracy turned Thomas back into an elite player to start 2025. Second on tour in birdie average this season, Thomas has four top-tens in eight starts with two runner-up finishes.
On a course where players regularly need to work the ball in different ways to create birdie opportunities, Thomas possesses every shot in the bag — particularly around the green. When he’s running hot, it’s easy to see why Thomas is one of the most accomplished players on Tour.
Similar to Morikawa, Thomas faces questions about closing events despite being a two-time major winner. Facing a title drought since winning the 2022 PGA Championship, Thomas lost his lead on the back nine to Viktor Hovland at the Valspar in his final start before the Masters.
