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Masters tips: Top 3, best value and roughies
Adam White • April 9th, 2026 6:06 pm
It's hard to believe it's already been 12 months since Rory McIlroy completed that masterpiece when he finally got to put on the green jacket for the first time.
He returns to Augusta as the champion, but not as the favourite, after a mixed start to the year with fluctuating form and back issues.
Two-time champion Scottie Scheffler is the one to beat according to the bookmakers, but he also comes to Augusta well short of his best this year.
It makes for a fascinating four days with lots of legitimate winning chances with the conditions expected to be firm and fast this week.
There are two players I am particularly keen on to be in contention on Sunday but there are many others you can build a strong case for success this week.
Top of the market (Sportsbet):$6.50 - Scottie Scheffler$11 - Bryson DeChambeau$14 - Rory McIlroy$15 - Xander Schauffele$17 - Ludwig Aberg$20 - Cameron Young$21 - Matt Fitzpatrick$21 - Tommy Fleetwood$26 - Hideki Matsuyama$31 - Justin Rose
$31 - Robert MacIntyre
$34 - Collin Morikawa
$34 - Patrick Reed
Top 3 picks
Order of preference
Bryson DeChambeau - $11
Bryson returns to Augusta this year after performing poorly last year in the final group last year with Rory. But he still finished T5 after a T6 the year before, so, his recent form at the Masters is strong.
He also has started this particularly impressively on the LIV Tour with consecutive recent wins in Hong Kong and South Africa. The disappointment of last year might just be the ammunition he needs to get over the line this time.
He's the best chance with is x-factor hard to resist, particularly considering his recent form!
Xander Schauffele - $15
I almost put Xander on top.
He's got excellent recent form and knows how to play well atAugusta without having secured a green jacket.
Over the last six weeks he's had a T4 at the Valspar, 3 at The Players and T7 at the Genesis in his last three starts. Xander has finished in the top 10 in four of the last five Masters and has a further two top three finishes in 2019 and 2021.
He got over the hurdle major championship hurdle in 2024 when he won two major championships so there isn't anything stopping him from winning this week. A definite winning chance and almost a banker to finish inside the top 10.
Matt Fitzpatrick - $21
Matt has rediscovered his best form over the last 12 months. Best evidence of this is his win at the Valspar at his last start after he finished second at The Players. He's moved from 22 to 6 in the world rankings just this year.
His record at the Masters is good without being overwhelming with five top 25s from 11 attempts with three of those in the last four years.
Best value options
Order of preference
Bob MacIntyre - $31
Bob has been very sharp recently on the PGA
Tour with a T2 in Texas and 4 in The Players.
He's only had three Masters appearances for A T12, T23 and a MC last year, but he's a serious player who continues to get better.
Tour with a T2 in Texas and 4 in The Players.
He's only had three Masters appearances for A T12, T23 and a MC last year, but he's a serious player who continues to get better.
Patrick Reed - $34
You can say what you like about him, but he's got a very special Masters record. The 2018 winner has also banked top tens in four of the last six years including a third-placed finish last year. He just knows how to play well here even if his form leading in hasn't been good.
Best roughies
Order of preference
Tyrell Hatton - $76
Another player who knows how to match it with the best and has played well recently at Augusta.
He finished T9 in 2024 and T14 last year. Can go low.
He finished T9 in 2024 and T14 last year. Can go low.
Adam Scott - $76
I'm not sure he can win this week, but I think he can be the leading Australian at $4 or top 20 at $3.20. He's been in very good form recently, including a T4 at the Genesis, T11 at the Arnold Palmer and T21 at Houston at his last start. The former winner knows how to play well at Augusta with five other top 10s to go with his win. It's been 2019 since his last top 20 but it's also been a while since he's played as well as he is athe is at the moment.
Jacob Bridgeman - $71
Jacob is one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour this year with four top tens from eight starts including a win at the Genesis.
It is his first Masters but his talent and his form can't be ignored and shouldn't be this price.
Imagine what you could be buying instead For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
