Exclusive …. Who’s Your Masters Money On? We Speak To Those Teeing-Up & Also Those Hoping To Contest The 90th Masters.

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The hosting of 2026 Masters is now just over a week away.

First staged in 1934, and except for WW2 in 1943-1945, the Masters has been played every year and with 2026 marking the 90th hosting on the golf course affectionately known as ‘Golf’s Cathedral Among The Pines’.

GolfByTourMiss spoke with a number of players heading to Augusta National, and one or two other hoping to be teeing-up next week, and asked them, apart from themselves, who would they place a few dollars on to be fitted with an Augusta National members green jacket.

Justin Thomas – 2017 & 2022 PGA Champsionship champion.  Contesting an 11th straight Masters since 2016.  Best finish 4th in 2020.

“It’s hard to go against Scottie (Scottie Scheffler) and moreso at Augusta National.  Of course, he’s won twice.  But I think you have to have total and complete control … ball and distance control and spin control, and I think he’s proven he’s been pretty good at that the last couple years.“

Gary Woodland – 2019 US Open champion & winner of last week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open. Contesting a 13th Masters since 2011. Best finish T14th in 2024.

“I fancy Bryson’s chances.  He’s won two week’s in a row.  His game also sets up well for Augusta.  I’ve played the Masters with Bryson as a partner and he clearly knows what to do at Augusta.

“But it’s hard to go past Scottie.  A two-time Masters winner.  He knows the course better than most.  He’s better than most in controlling his golf ball.  He just possesses all you need out there.“

Nicolai Hojgaard – 2023 Winning European Ryder Cup star. Triple DP World Tour champion.  Four top-six place efforts this season including second last week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open. Contesting a third straight Masters since his debut in 2024.

“There’s two names that pop up in my head. Jon Rahm is a former Masters champion and he’s been playing really good golf on the LIV tour, so I’d expect him to be up there.  He looks like he’s in good form.

“You can never count Scottie out.  I think Scottie is going to be again hard to beat.

“And then I got a little thing for Cam Young.  He’s such an incredible golfer and his game is well suited for Augusta.

“So if I had to say three, I’d probably say one of the three.“

Tony Finau – Six-time PGA Tour winner. Played the Masters three times.  Best finish 14th in 2021.  Teeing up in this week’s Valero Open and needing to finish tops if he’s returning  to Augusta National.

“Historically, it would seem someone who has won leading up to the Masters always does well at Augusta.  I fancy someone like Akshay Bhatia.  He’s a lefty and in recent years, lefties have played well there at Augusta. He’s obviously proven he can beat the best players in the world. Yeah, for sure. Winning a signature event. 

“Another really good lefty is Robbie Mac (Robert MacIntyre). I think Robbie’s going to have a great chance too. He’s been playing great golf. But lefties, the way they see it, that sets up well for them.“

Billy Horscel – Eight-time PGA Tour and three-time DP World Tour champion.  Contested 10 Masters from his debut in 2014 with a best finish T17th in 2016.  Teeing-up in this week’s Valero Texas Open.

“I like the way Brooks (Koepka) has been playing really good right now. I have watched any of his rounds but what I hear and see, it does seem he’s in the best of form.

“Of course, you have to putt well at Augusta.  Augusta is all about approach play and right now Brooks seems to be hitting it really good.

“It’s a tough one as there’s also Rory, and if Rory is healthy he cannot be discounted.

“Then there’s Bryson, winninog his last two events which has to be impressive in anyone language.  Though the issue with Bryson is his iron play.  It’s inconsistent.   There was last year when he and Rory were fighting it out over the last day and with Bryson then driving the ball particularly well but then he struggled with distance control using the irons. 

“So when you find youself on lies with a lot of undulation, ball below feet, below your lie, uphill, downhill it does make it more difficult to be consistent with distance control.

“Bryson’s big plus going to Augusta is his length off the tee and that’s such a valuable asset, so it’s tough to say that he’s one who will not be in contention, as he will“.

Jacob Bridgeman – The 26-year-old earlier this year gallantly managed to hold on to deny Rory McIlroy victory at the Genesis Invitational and in doing so, capture a maiden PGA Tour victory. Though he actually qualified for the Masters thanks to three entry caterogies – Contested the 2025 PGA Tour season-ending Tour Championship, his victory at Riviera and just last Sunday be easily inside the World’s top-50 as the World No. 17.

“I’ve be fortunate to play the course before but can’t wait to be teeing-up in my first Masters though it’s going to be all pretty nerve-wracking ahead of hearing your name introduced on the first tee.

“Now. Who would I bet on to win?  That would be me (laughing).

“Serioulsy then.  If it’s not me then it’s pretty hard not to pick Scottie. He has a pretty good track record at Augusta and I feel that two jackets he already owns, will have company before too long.“

Kevin Streelman – The 41-year-old Arizona-based golfer is a two-time PGA Tour Cinner.  He contested the Masters on five occasions from 2011 to 2016, and a best finish of T12th in 2015.  He is the current World No. 413th ranked golfer.  Steelman is out in the first group on day one of this week’s Valero Texas Open.  Should he be leading at the close of play on Sunday afternoon, Streelman is heading to Augusta National.

“My money is on Scottie.  He is probably a little annoyed the way he’s been playing of late.  I sure he’s been working hard to clean it up.

“So, Scottie to make it Masters green jacket number three.“

  • Thank so much, gentleman and very best wishes to all those heading to Augusta National and those we spoke still seeking a Masters tee time.

 



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