Big Masters headlines, Scottie and Rory’s chances

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss big Masters news, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy’s chances, trending players, and more.

Welcome to Masters week, where we won’t see Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson but we’ll have plenty of other stories ready to unfold at Augusta National. Which one are you looking at?

Zephyr Melton, game development editor (@zephyrmelton): Is Scottie Scheffler’s descent real? Or his (relatively) poor play has been a simple case of early season malaise. If he struggles to find his form at Augusta – where he has excelled – it may be time to start ringing the bells.

Jack Hirsh, equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): That’s great Zephyr, I really like to place Justin Rose this week. He’s in his 40s now, and yet, he enters this week as the No. 7 ranked player in the world and the runner-up at Augusta. It’s amazing to think that he has now lost two qualifying matches at the Masters. He rebounded after his win at Torrey Pines with a T13 at the Players. Is this the week he gets the Green Jacket?

Josh Schrock, news editor (@schrock_and_awe): I am second to both of the above. Rose will be my top story, but I’m curious to see what Brooks Koepka has in the bag next week. His major record hasn’t been good since winning the 2023 PGA Championship, but he said he’s fixed a problem that has plagued him for two years and has been playing good golf leading up to the MC in Houston. Is this the point where Brooks Koepka emerges as a threat?

What recent form of big-name players is trending or fading as the first major of the year approaches?

Melton: I buy Ludwig Aberg’s stock going into Augusta. He’s been in excellent form of late, with three top-10 finishes in his last three appearances, and he has a good record at the Masters, albeit a small sample size. I like Ludwig to be the feature this week.

Hirsh: Tommy Fleetwood is my pick this week and I think his game is a good fit for Augusta National. As for his styles? He has finished 10 out of 10 in his five starts this season, and even though he didn’t finish this weekend in Texas, he was in trouble going into the weekend. I think this is his week.

Scrock: I’m buying Xander Schauffele coming back as a big threat. After winning two majors in 2024, he was hampered by a rib injury that started last year and never looked good. He has been playing well for a while, the instruments are the best. I think Rose wins but I expect Xander to be the feature come Sunday.

Bryson DeChambeau has won both of his LIV Golf starts before the Masters, and has finished in the top six the past two years. Is he stronger than ever for Bryson? And is he your pick this week among LIV players?

Melton: With Rory and Scottie off to a slow start to their seasons, I’d say this is the most open green jacket race in a few years – so why not Bryson? It’s hard not to like the way she’s trending. It will all depend on whether he can control his distance with the irons.

Hirsh: Yawnnnnn, no. Victory LIV doesn’t have much credibility for me. It was a good sign for Brooks a few years ago when he lost to Rahm, but I just don’t see Bryson winning at Augusta. Will he fight again? Maybe, but I just don’t see him winning.

Scrock: I agree with Jack. I’m having a hard time seeing all the Bryson meets at Augusta. He seems to have picked things up since his MCs in 2022 and 2023, but he struggled last year when he couldn’t control distance with his wedges and was talking about trying to “drive” his wedges. I think Jon Rahm, not Bryson, is the LIV player in the mix at Augusta this week.

Do you take a combination of Scottie and Rory, or the field? And why?

Melton: The field. Neither of the top two dogs has shown enough consistency so far this year to back them up against the rest of the field. Does that mean they won’t succeed? Not necessarily, but the odds are in the field’s favor.

Hirsh: The field. Not because I don’t think Scottie and Rory won’t compete, but I’m not sure Scheffler is comfortable with his driver based on where we last saw him (even though it’s been three weeks) and that’s a very important club to win the Masters. Rory I expect a bit more now, but I don’t think he’s at the world level he was in a few years ago.

Scrock: I will take the field. Between Scottie’s un-Scottie-like metal playing and Rory’s back problem, I think there’s a good chance someone outside the top two will take home the green jacket. I’m interested to see how Rory plays now that he’s moved the mountain at Augusta. I think you are arguing, but repeating is a big task. I’m not really sure what to make of where the Scottie game is right now and the iron game in Augusta’s shape.

Last year, we asked who needed to win the Masters the most, and our panel agreed it was McIlroy. Now that he’s won it, who’s next on your list?

Melton: Justin Rose. He has put one arm in the green jacket twice, but he couldn’t do it. Father’s time may soon be upon us, and his chances are running out. Rose’s blue jacket may mean more than any other player on the field. (Also, a good throw deserves more than one on a resume.)

Hirsh: Tommy Fleetwood. He was the best player in the world at the end of last season and is still in good form in 2026. Time to get that big.

Scrock: Agree with Zephyr. It’s Rose. He held the lead or shared the Masters nine times after Rounds 1, 2 and 3. That is third all-time behind Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. He is 18-under in the last 10 Masters, ranking seventh. Five of the six players ahead of him won jackets during that time. Time.

What is your final, parting thought for the Masters?

Melton: I think we’ll see a hole-in-one on No. 16 on Sunday with a traditional funnel pin.

Hirsh: I think this is the year our own Alan Bastable won the media lottery. Ever since Brooks Koepka asked him in a press conference if he had played this course, I have been dying to see that come true.

Melton: I support this movement.

Scrock: Ten years after his fall on No. 12, I think Jordan Spieth holds the 54-hole lead this year and we’ll have another memorable Sunday on our hands at Augusta National.