Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy look to construct on their current success at The Masters, however who’s most definitely to problem them for main victory at Augusta Nationwide?
The world’s prime two have gained three of the final 4 Masters between them, with Scheffler claiming the Inexperienced Jacket in 2022 and successful once more in 2024 earlier than McIlroy accomplished the profession Grand Slam in final 12 months’s contest.
Scheffler arrives because the pre-tournament favorite to assert a fifth main title in as a few years regardless of ending exterior the highest 10 in his final three PGA Tour begins, his worst run in 4 years, with the world No 1 already a winner this season on the American Specific.
The 29-year-old has completed inside the highest 20 in each previous look at Augusta Nationwide and is anticipated to problem once more, whereas McIlroy bids to turn out to be the primary participant since Tiger Woods to efficiently win back-to-back editions of The Masters.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
As Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta Nationwide to defend his Masters title, check out a few of the greatest photographs he has ever performed on the occasion
McIlroy turned simply the sixth participant to finish the profession Grand Slam after final 12 months’s dramatic play-off win over Justin Rose, ending his 11-year await an elusive fifth main title, however who from exterior the world’s prime two might additionally problem for victory this week?
Forward of the opening main of the 12 months, dwell on Sky Sports activities from 2pm on Thursday, we requested the Sky Sports activities Golf pundits to foretell who they assume will win this week, and to pick a participant who could possibly be an under-the-radar choice to contend.
An English winner at The Masters?
Solely two Englishman have ever gained The Masters, with this 12 months’s version marking the tenth anniversary of Danny Willett’s shock victory in 2016 and the thirtieth of Sir Nick Faldo’s third – and remaining – triumph at Augusta Nationwide.
Willett is again amongst an eight-strong English contingent on this week’s area, with Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick each winners on the PGA Tour this season and Tommy Fleetwood the reigning FedExCup champion.
“My prediction to win is Justin Rose, based on his form for this season and the fact he’s already got that win,” Sky Sports activities’ Nick Dougherty stated. “It hasn’t been all sensible stuff, however he once more proved that he can get by all one of the best gamers – at an enormous occasion – by successful on an enormous golf course at Torrey Pines [Farmers Insurance Open].
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Talking forward of the 2026 Masters match, three-time runner-up Justin Rose claims that he has no regrets from his close to misses at Augusta Nationwide
“At 45 years of age he’s never been longer, having picked up length over the last couple of years when you’re supposed to get shorter. He works so tirelessly towards his recovery and fitness, so his longevity is one of his shining assets.
“He has a wealth of expertise with what number of occasions he is participated right here and expertise counts at Augusta. He has completed runner-up 3 times – together with in opposition to Rory final 12 months – and is prepared for the following step. I simply assume he is a fantastic wager this week.”
Andrew Coltart added: “Matt Fitzpatrick gained final trip, his numbers are fairly good and he is proper on type. He likes it right here and he is acquired the temperament and persistence required. He is simply getting higher and higher after that resurgence final 12 months.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Essentially the most stunning moments from Masters historical past, together with Jordan Spieth’s collapse on the twelfth gap and an injury-plagued Tiger Woods being tackled by safety
Who else might problem at The Masters?
Cameron Younger is trying to be part of Scheffler and McIlroy in following victory at The Gamers with a win at The Masters, having claimed a one-shot victory over Fitzpatrick on the PGA Tour’s flagship occasion final month.
“His [Young’s] fine victory at The Players has elevated him into the top bracket of the game,” stated Sky Sports activities’ Ewen Murray. “He would have discovered a lot about his runner-up finishes earlier than his first victory final autumn.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights from the ultimate day of The Gamers, the place Cameron Younger shot a four-under par 68 to win at TPC Sawgrass
“TPC Sawgrass was what his confidence and belief required to make the next step up the ladder – the next rung could well be a major.”
Ludvig Åberg and Bryson DeChambeau each contended on the ultimate day final 12 months earlier than falling quick, with Bob MacIntyre among the many contingent trying to problem for a maiden main victory.
May Bob MacIntyre turn out to be the following first-time main champion?
“Åberg is just unbelievable,” stated Sky Sports activities’ Wealthy Beem. “He has given it [chance of winning] away a couple of times this year on the PGA Tour. He’s just playing too well and it’s about time he puts it all together.”
On MacIntyre, Dame Laura Davies stated: “This week could be one for a left-hander and MacIntyre has been playing consistently all year.
“He did not get the job carried out final week however was proper up there all week and has the expertise of dealing with the stress on the US Open final summer time. I feel he is able to win an enormous one.”
Who will win The Masters? Sky Sports activities’ pundit predictions
- Wealthy Beem: Ludvig Åberg
- Andrew Coltart: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Dame Laura Davies: Bob MacIntyre
- Nick Dougherty: Justin Rose
- Butch Harmon: Tommy Fleetwood
- Paul McGinley: Jon Rahm
- Inci Mehmet: Justin Rose
- Ewen Murray: Cameron Younger
- Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley: Bryson DeChambeau
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Talking forward of the 2026 Masters match, Bryson DeChambeau claims that his rivalry with Rory McIlroy will be good for golf
A shock bundle? Outsiders to impress at The Masters
- Wealthy Beem: Adam Scott
- Andrew Coltart: Jake Knapp
- Dame Laura Davies: Jon Rahm
- Nick Dougherty: Jacob Bridgeman
- Butch Harmon: Harry Corridor
- Paul McGinley: Akshay Bhatia
- Inci Mehmet: Tom McKibbin
- Ewen Murray: Jacob Bridgeman
- Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley: Patrick Reed
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Talking forward of The Masters, former champion Patrick Reed defined why he took the choice to stroll away from LIV Golf with the intention of returning to the PGA Tour
When is The Masters dwell on Sky Sports activities?
Wall-to-wall protection from the match begins at 2pm on Thursday, with Featured Group motion and common updates from across the course accessible on Sky Sports activities Golf till the worldwide broadcast window begins at 6pm.
The identical timings will apply on Friday, earlier than an earlier begin kicks in for the weekend – with protection beginning at 4.30pm forward of full protection getting below manner at 5pm and lasting till lengthy after the ultimate putt is holed.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Forward of the 2026 Masters match, Jamie Weir talks you thru Augusta Nationwide in numbers
The infamous Amen Nook stream will even be accessible, specializing in the well-known three-hole stretch from the eleventh, with that Featured Group providing additionally accessible on the Sky Sports activities+ channel.
A feed of the fourth, fifth and sixth holes will go dwell every day as quickly because the opening group attain that a part of the course and one other stream covers the fifteenth and sixteenth holes, with Featured Teams additionally accessible on Sky Sports activities+.
Who will win The Masters? Watch the opening main of the 12 months solely dwell on Sky Sports activities. Reside protection of the primary spherical begins on Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract.
