Masters ’25: Our Masters of the Masters Pick Their Winners

Between them, Augusta Today columnists John Patrick and Ashely 'A.B.' Brown have seen, analyzed, and commented on more Masters action, upsets, come-from-behind finishes, and leaderboard meltdowns than almost anybody. They have, for decades, served as Augusta's eyes and ears at the tournament, ensuring that local coverage is also leading coverage. This week, we've decided to put them head-to-head, with each proffering their opinions on who will slide into the famous green jacket Sunday afternoon. Neither has seen what the other has written. And while there is a little overlap - particularly when it comes to some guy named Scottie - each has their own take on who can win, will win, and why. Enjoy this special dueling edition of John Patrick's Join the Club and Ashley 'A.B.' Brown's For the Love of the Game.

Tee it up gentlemen.

I have a rule on my golf show. I never ask a guest who they think is going to win the tournament. If you were to stop and really think about that question you would begin to realize determining the correct answer is almost impossible. The variables are mind-numbing. The course, the weather, the pressure, the competition, the state of that player’s game, the math that’s involved - yikes. What I like to ask my guests is who do they see as contending when we get to Sunday.

I’ve been covering the Masters for 40+ years. For probably fifteen of those years, a friend, covering the tournament for the powerhouse radio station KMOX, would spend his Masters Sunday morning concocting a spreadsheet of facts, figures, and statistics to derive who, at the end of the day, would be putting the green jacket on. He never got it right and, in the end, he would go with his gut.

Here at Augusta Today, apparently, no such rule exists. I’ve been asked to tell you who I think will win the Masters. So, I’ll give you my top three. Before I do that, however, let me say that Rory McIlroy will not. McIlroy needs to win the Masters to become the seventh player in history to complete the career grand slam. Would I love to see him do it? Absolutely. Will this be the year? Absolutely not. He will win this tournament either after winning another major first, or when he’s able to kind of glide under the radar - and he is not under the radar this year. He has won twice in this country before the Masters for the first time in his career, including the Players last month. We’re going to have to wait awhile for McIlroy to put on a green jacket.

OK, let’s go from three to one.

Third on my list to win is Scottie Scheffler. Like Tiger in his heyday, you just can’t overlook what he has accomplished and what he’s still accomplishing. I think he’s beginning to fall into the category of player, who having once won, although he’s won it twice, he’s fallen in love with everything about the place. Phil Mickelson was that way. Never underestimate the player that just loves his surroundings. His knowledge of the course doesn’t hurt either.

Next, watch for Ludvig Aberg. He finished second in his first Masters last year. He is rightfully being hailed as the next great thing. He has won on tour, but he’s not currently setting it on fire. Many, myself included, believe greatness is right around the corner for Aberg. Maybe his march will begin on Sunday. I like Aberg.

My pick is not necessarily a top-of-mind player. I’ve always liked his game, since the first time I saw him play.

I’m talking about Collin Morikawa.

He plays the kind of shot that one must possess around these parts - the fade. He has struggled with his putting at Augusta National, but if I am aware of that, I have to assume he is as well. Just keep an eye on him. He’s coming around. I don’t have a spread sheet on his stats, just a gut feeling. If he wins here, then he will be three-quarters of the way to a career grand slam, with only the US Open remaining.

My pick is Collin Morikawa.

When all is said and done this week, let’s celebrate a wonderful game played at a wonderful place.

Enjoy the 89^th Masters.

As much as I love football, as a sports fan, there is simply no better time of year than early spring. The NBA and NHL playoffs are about to start, baseball is underway, college basketball’s March Madness is in full swing and, for golf fans, it is time for the season’s first major championship - Masters. We are incredibly fortunate to have the world’s most prestigious golf event in our own backyard every year.

There is just something special about the azaleas blooming, the lush green grass, the throwback concessions pricing, and the amazing attention to detail that Augusta National Golf Club prides itself on. It just gets my juicing flowing. It also seems like the cream rises to the top in Augusta. The list of Masters champions is a who’s who of the game’s legends. It is a special time indeed.

Every year I do my homework and analyze the entire field to try to narrow the list down to a handful of players I consider true Masters contenders. Undoubtedly, you will have some favorites on the list. Like I said, the cream rises to the top at Augusta. That said, there are always some younger players and dark horses that I think have a chance to don the coveted green jacket.

So here are the players that I feel you should keep an eye on in 2025.

The Favorites

Scottie Scheffler – This one is a no-brainer. Scheffler is only the second player, along with Horton Smith, to win the Masters twice in his first five starts. He won last year’s tournament by four shots and was last season’s 2024 PGA Player of the Year. Scheffler is the current ranked No. 1 in the world and is easily the most dominant player on the tour since Tiger Woods.

Rory McIlroy – McIlroy is coming off a win at the Players Championship and over the last couple of years seems to be in contention in every big event. The only question - can he exorcise his demons from 2011? A quick recap - he took a four shot lead into the back nine on Sunday but followed up an errant tee shot on ten with a disastrous back nine that resulted in a final round 80 and a 15^th place finish. He seems to be in a different mental space of late, and that may result in him finally winning here and completing his career Grand Slam.

Bryson DeChambeau – There is no more entertaining player on the planet right now. Social media has been great for the former SMU Star. He went from being thought of as a quirky, strange, and sometimes rude person to the crowd favorite anywhere he plays. His length and competitiveness make him a true contender to take home the title.

Xander Schauffele – Few golfers over the past five or six years have been more consistently in contention at the biggest events. Over the course of his last 30 major appearances, he has 15 top ten finishes. He finally broke through last year and won his first two major championships. He has always been extremely solid at Augusta, so I would not be surprised if he is in the hunt on Sunday.

Hideki Matsuyama – Matsuyama won the 2021 Masters, but he is far from a one-hit wonder. Over his last ten Masters starts, he has eight Top Ten finishes. I think his tie for 38^th last year is an anomaly and expect him to post some solid scores in 2025.

Ludvug Aberg – Ludvig is my favorite young golfer. His swing is so pure. It seems impossible for him to hit a bad shot. I will be stunned if does not win a Masters over the next ten years. He just turned pro in June of 2023, but everyone, including his peers, gush about this kid’s ability. Last year, as a Masters rookie, he wound up with a second place finish. I would not be surprised to see him in contention again this year.

The Dark Horses

Ashkay Bhatia – He is the first Drive, Chip and Putt finalist to play in a Masters, tying for 35^th last year. He is only 22 and may be a few years away from contending, but he has too much game to overlook.

Sepp Straka – Straka has made the cut in each of his previous Masters starts. He also got off to a hot start in 2025, including a win at La Quinta in January. He may have peaked a little too early, but I had to include him on my Dark Horse list.

Russell Henley – This for UGA star would be an extremely popular winner if he can stay hot. He has four Top Ten Finishes in 2025, including a victory last month at Bay Hill. He is more of a grinder than some on this list, but Henley could easily be a contender.

Tom Kim – Kim is only 22, but the entire golf world can see his obvious talent and have been waiting for him to put it all together. He did that in last year’s final round at Augusta when he fired a Sunday-best 6-under 66.

Stephan Jaeger - Jaeger already has a trio of top six finishes in 2025, including a victory in Houston. He has put himself on leaderboards throughout 2025, now we see if he can do it in a major.

Nicolai Hojgaard – He finished T-16 a year ago in his first Masters start and was solid for all four Rounds. He was also on the winning European Ryder Cup team in 2023, so he has thrived on the big stage.

Others You Can’t Ignore

Shane Lowry
Viktor Hovland
Sahith Theegala
Cameron Smith
Harris English
Tommy Fleetwood


So, there are  the18 players I feel like you should keep an eye on in 2025. I won’t leave you hanging. My pick to win the tournament is the young star Ludvig Aberg.

Stay tuned.