In the wake of Rory McIlroy's dramatic playoff victory at Augusta National to finally claim the elusive Green Jacket, oddsmakers have already unveiled their predictions for next year's tournament. Surprisingly, it's not the newly crowned champion who tops the list for 2026.
Despite McIlroy's emotional breakthrough that completed his career Grand Slam after an 11-year Masters drought, Scottie Scheffler remains the betting favorite at +360 for next year's event. The world's top-ranked golfer secured his fourth consecutive top-10 finish at Augusta with a fourth-place showing this year, demonstrating remarkable consistency at golf's most prestigious tournament.
Scheffler, who hasn't secured a PGA Tour victory in 2025, has nevertheless maintained elite form with consecutive top-5 finishes and hasn't placed outside the top 25 in any event this year. His remarkable consistency at Augusta—never finishing outside the top 20 in six appearances—justifies his position as the frontrunner regardless of this year's outcome.
McIlroy, who nearly squandered his opportunity before defeating Justin Rose in a playoff, sits second in the early odds at +425. His Augusta performance history has been inconsistent in recent years, with two missed cuts and a T22 finish alongside three top-5 results since 2020. However, with the immense psychological burden of completing the career Grand Slam now lifted, many analysts believe we may see a more liberated McIlroy at future Masters tournaments.
History suggests caution for bettors backing favorites, though. According to Statbet analysis, only two pre-tournament favorites or co-favorites have claimed the Green Jacket since Tiger Woods' victory as a +350 favorite in 2005. Most recent champions have emerged from the +1,000 to +3,000 odds range.
Several notable trends might influence 2026 predictions. Experience matters at Augusta, with nine of the last eleven champions having played at least three previous Masters tournaments. Additionally, recent form is crucial—eight of the last eleven winners had secured a tournament victory in their seven events leading up to Augusta.
Another pattern working against Scheffler: repeat champions have become increasingly rare. No golfer has won consecutive Masters since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002, though Scheffler has already joined an elite group by winning twice in three years (2022, 2024).
Age demographics could also factor into predictions. Before Woods' 2019 victory at 43, thirteen consecutive Masters champions were under 40, a trend that has continued with recent winners Dustin Johnson (36), Hideki Matsuyama (29), Scheffler (25, 27), and Jon Rahm (28).
The Masters field itself represents a carefully curated group including past champions (who receive lifetime invitations), recent major winners, top-ranked players, amateur champions, and special invitees selected by the tournament committee.
As anticipation builds toward the 2026 tournament, golf fans and bettors alike will closely monitor player form, course adjustments, and emerging talents that could challenge the established favorites at Augusta National.
