Now that Rory McIlroy has his Masters, who needs this one more?
Last year newly minted Masters champion Rory McIlroy walked into the media building, took a seat and spoke directly to a group of assembled writers.
“I would like to start this press conference with a question,” he said. “What are we all going to talk about next year?”
They all laughed. The subtext was clear: For a decade or more, the big story of the Masters was some version can rory do it this year? He famously led 63 holes in 2011. He had famously finished the other three quarters of the Grand Slam series. He spent ten years winning everything in sports except the big tournament. Last year the Rory Story was the end of the Masters story – or at least that’s how it felt given how big it was and how much weight it felt with him in the mix.
So whose story now needs a green jacket ending? To McIlroy’s question: Who should we talk about now?
There is no reasonable fan of McIlroy, who has taken it out on Augusta every year with direct pressure. He what is needed a Masters title to complete his career – and he was so good at golf that he and the rest of the golf world realized it would be a disaster if he failed to do so. We knew the way we would talk about McIlroy post-Masters would be very different, if only he could get over the line.
Everyone’s resume changes dramatically when they win the Masters, of course. But whose conversation is changing the most? Using those two factors – a gap in the resume and the talent needed to fill it – here are five guys who do it the need This is very Masters.
Honorable mentions
Scottie Scheffler he’ll catch McIlroy and Koepka in the top five with a win but given the clip he’s been in – not to mention the recent birth of his second child – he doesn’t “need” anything yet… Rory McIlroy he will have a lot of attention on him but he doesn’t “need” it either, he deserves at least one Masters before we pile up our expectations on him and… Jon Rahm will be among the favorites but already has the Masters … we expect Brooks Koepka for now they are in a safe, central place… Chris Gotterup again Jacob Bridgeman leading Masters beginners, who should consider this year a free roll… Cameron Young gets the Grace Time Players, any strong form at Augusta can be a win… Collin Morikawa’s recent injuries mean we’re pushing to slow down the game we’re waiting for… Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley again Robert MacIntyre they are among the best players yet to win big points, so this could be big, there are no clear signs that this will be the week.
Anyway, you get the idea. It can be overwhelming for anyone. It can only be larger than the following:
5. Ludwig Aberg
Ludwig Aberg’s history at the Masters is short but strong. In 2024, his first show, he finished second to Scheffler. In 2025 he actually had an even better chance of winning; if he had played his last three holes in one under he would have made the playoff, instead he completed a triple bogey and finished seventh.
Is it Aberg the need Masters? No. He is still among the top young players on the PGA Tour and is still on the rise. But again, of course you need one! He’s been knocking on the door at major tournaments, dropping the Players Championship last month (and the Texas Open on Sunday). He is young but not yet young. In Aberg’s age (26-and-a-half) Jordan Spieth had three major titles, Rory McIlroy had four, Tiger Woods had six. In fairness Brooks Koepka had a zero, Phil Mickelson had a zero and Scottie Scheffler had just snagged the first. So there is plenty of time. But he comes in form, which makes this a dangerous opportunity.
4. Xander Schauffele
There’s more credit here for guys who have come close before, and on Sunday’s Masters in 2021 Xander Schauffele stood on Augusta National’s tee 16 at 10 under par – the score that ended up winning – and made triple bogey.
There’s no need to fix the negative, though. Schauffele is on the list because he has been a consistent major league player over the past four years; since he last missed the 2022 Masters he has played 15 majors and won more times (twice) than he finished outside the top 12 (once, T28 at last year’s PGA). He also came in third at the Players and T4 at Valspar, suggesting his game is hitting form at the right time.
A Masters win would do something interesting, too: it would give him the third leg of the Grand Slam, stopping the US Open in Shinnecock where both Scheffler and Schauffele would win one in joining McIlroy in history.
Anyway, let’s see Schauffele pick this one before we start giving him the US Open, too.
3. Bryson DeChambeau
This is as much an upside down game as anything; DeChambeau’s career would take a very different turn if he added the green jacket to his two US Open titles. Going from two majors to three all of a sudden is a lot of fun.
He should have a very good shot at making it this year, too. He’s coming off strong form with two consecutive LIV wins, T6 and T5 finishes in his last two Masters appearances and seems to have finally found answers in a place that has plagued him in his first six tries as a pro. There is also the matter of unfinished business after McIlroy’s 75 last year on Sunday.
DeChambeau’s resume is excellent. But for him to continue to climb the ranks of this generation’s best – and continue to cement his reputation as a can-do anywhere – he will benefit greatly from a green jacket. (His YouTube channel, too.)
2. Tommy Fleetwood
The best golfer without a major is playing the best golf of his life. Last fall he won the Tour Championship, won in India, won in Bethpage. He has five top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour starting in 2026. He also had seven top-five finishes at majors, most recently a T3 at the 2024 Masters.
East Lake was big for Fleetwood. This represents the next step.
1. Justin Rose
Even McIlroy got a feel for Rose last year as he beat him with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
And although there was no sense that Rose had “lost” the tournament – McIlroy was 14 under par for the championship through 10 holes on Sunday, while Rose was 7 under, his billing was a wonderful and surprising bonus – there is a general sense that he should be part of this club. Rose is a major champion and Olympic gold medalist. He is also the only man to lose in two playoffs at Augusta National. It would be a poem if this year was his turn.
Does Rose “need” a Masters title? Not really. That’s the point of this piece, of McIlroy’s quip, of the current state of the pro going into this year’s premiership. No one needs this as much as he did.
But a whole bunch of guys want you anyway.
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