Spring is here, the azaleas are in bloom and once again it is time for Jim Nantz to welcome us to the Masters. The Masters pools are closing soon and I have decided to correctly predict the entire top 15 for the 2026 Masters. No member of the media has ever correctly predicted or even attempted to accomplish such a feat. Get ready to take some notes and adjust your featured groups.
Robert MacIntyre
With only ten rounds of competitive golf played at Augusta National and with just one of those scores in the 60’s, Robbie Mac is a long shot to put on the green jacket. However, I followed him for several days in the sideways rain at the 2025 Dunhill Links and I was seriously impressed with his mental fortitude and ability to execute shots in ridiculous circumstances. Unfortunately, Augusta is far less turbulent than the coast of Scotland.
Result: 14th place
Patrick Cantlay
Due to the exceptional timing of the broadcast crews that follow Patrick Cantlay, you probably don’t dislike him as much as you could. The camera only cuts to Cantlay after he has stood over the ball contemplating a series of life decisions for about 55 seconds. They are keenly aware that it is on the 60th second that something triggers in his brain and he finally swings the golf club.
Nobody really knows what Cantlay is thinking about as he stares at his golf ball for the same amount of time that it takes to buy a used car, but it really does not matter, because Patrick Cantlay is fucking great at golf. This dude almost always makes the cut and has a habit of finishing inside the top 25. He will not change his course or his pace of play in 2026.
Result: 13th place
Justin Rose
Few things in golf have aged quite as gracefully as Justin Rose. Even with 3 runner up finishes at the Masters, he manages to learn something from every defeat. Were others will carry heavy scar tissue, Rosey has managed to wear his defeats with a level of decorum that inspires us all to relish 2nd place.
“If you’re going to be willing to win them, you’ve got to be willing to kind of be on the wrong side of it as well.”
Sadly, Rose, and 90 other players end up on the wrong side of victory again this year.
Result: 12th place
Adam Scott
A quick google search of Adam Scott will let you know that he has been feeling “relaxed” and “optimistic” about his chances in 2026 at Augusta. Unfortunately, optimism is only 10% of the ingredients required for success. If optimism was all we needed, I would still be with my first wife. Fortunately, Scott’s sweet classic swing makes up for about 70% of his shortcomings and when the putts start finding the hole on Friday, Adam makes his way into the top 15.
Adam Scott the actor still maintains a 25% edge over Adam Scott the golfer.
Result: 15th place
Chris Gotterup
I don’t know much about Chris, but I do know enough about the people that know a lot about golf to know that Gotterup is a man that is worth keeping an eye on. Some half assed internet research will tell you that Chris has 4 PGA Tour victories, but somehow has never competed in the Masters before. Just like those t shirts in the mid 1990’s this is a man that is gonna play with NO FEAR.
Result: 11th place
Wyndham Clark
Despite causing excessive amounts of physical damage to previous major venues, golf’s greatest rage monster is still allowed to visit and actually compete on golf’s most pristine stage. Look for this man child to show some early signs of greatness and then lose his competitive edge after a series of mildly unfortunate bounces midway through his Friday round.
Result: Missed Cut
Tommy Fleetwood
I don’t think anyone is gonna be surprised when Fleetwood fires a first round 66 to lead the opening round of the 2026 Masters. They also aren’t gonna be surprised when he comes back to the field with a 76 on Friday.
Apparently, Fleetwood has some sort of magic 9 wood that allows him to navigate the par 5’s and longer par 3’s. While that may be true, it gives him little advantage over those hitting 7 irons into the same greens.
Result: T10
Brooks Koepka
After keeping the cash and shedding his LIV demons, Brooks has demonstrated an uncanny ability to navigate the world of professional golf. His cavalier attitude about the things that don’t matter has caused him to focus deeply about the things that do matter. Fortunately, Brooks has decided that one of the things that matters in life is winning the Masters. While his wife celebrates her life long goal of becoming a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model for the 3rd time, Brooks will have to wait another year for his 1st Masters victory.
Result: Solo 9th
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie is still a SAVAGE. Despite a recent dip in form, you would have to be a clown to believe that Scheffler won’t figure into the Masters weekend situation. One of the key developments to consider is that Scheffler recently welcomed his second son into the world on March 27th. The real test will be Scottie’s ability to flip the switch on Dad Mode and into Win the Fucking Masters Mode. I am pretty sure that was a switch that he flipped easily on his 2012 GMC Yukon. The question is, can Scotty find that same switch on this week’s sponsor vehicle.
Result: T10
Hideki Matsuyama
Who remembers Matsuyama’s caddie taking a bow on the 18th green after his player’s victory in 2021?? EVERYONE.
What most people forget is that Matsuyama, the actual golfer, doesn’t fucking miss. The dude already has 5 top 25 finishes this year. Hideki has also spent the exact right amount of time not being a Masters Champion that his thirst for a second jacket is at its peak. Sadly, it takes more than thirst, experience and elite level ball striking to reach the pinnacle of golf for a second time.
Result: Solo 8th
Jon Rahm
Jon continues to dominate LIV Golf and heads into the 2026 Masters in peak form. But is it really peak form? It is hard to tell when the competition is often compared to a Saturday scramble with the boys. I know those LIV guys are better than Bob Does Sports but the very highest levels of performance are often inspired by intense competition. This lack of intensity leaves me with doubts. Rahm has also managed to get himself into some drama with the DP World Tour leading to questions about his Ryder Cup eligibility.
Rahm is clearly uncomfortable discussing anything other than the Masters this week and I wonder if he has the ability to drown out such a noisy narrative. For a golfer that only gets 4 chances a year to capture the golf world’s attention, Rahm needs to bring his A game. The good news is that most golfers would sell a kidney for his B+ performance this week.
Result: T2
Patrick Reed
In 2025, approximately 3% of golf fans wanted to watch Patrick Reed win The Masters again. After not renewing his contract with LIV in 2026, that figure is now up to 5%. Fortunately for Patrick Reed, he doesn’t give a shit about golf fans.
Hilarious jokes like stating that his 2018 green jacket is “getting a little lonely.” have only marginally increased his chances for victory. More importantly, they have clearly indicated his intentions and realigned his psyche for success at Augusta. Despite how much you dislike him, this dude just wants to win. Fortunately for golf fans, he comes up short after a solid effort.
Result: T3
Rory McIlroy
The golden goose returns to the scene of his historic triumph last year. Is McIlroy officially freed from the chains that bound him for over a decade? Probably. But there are a million other reasons why golfers don’t win the Masters.
Rory certainly relishes his role as a Masters Champion and has been heavily involved with the Masters festivities leading up to the actual tournament. This sort of appreciation and respect will go a long way towards creating a comfortable environment for Rory to execute the rare repeat. This is going to be the main storyline and I can’t wait to watch.
Result: T2
Bryson Dechambeau
Golf’s #1 YouTube golfer is also one of the outright favorites to find himself in a green jacket in 2026. After a devastating defeat last year at the hands of McIlroy, Bryson returns to avenge his loss. One of his key weapons this week could be his very own self made golf clubs. Apparently, Bryson is building irons and a driver that should allow him to satisfy his club manufacturing desires and finally reach the apex of sport. Will those clubs provide him the mental superiority that he needs to beat the field?
In success and failure, Bryson is almost always entertaining to watch. The answer is going to be another year of anguish as the back nine sends him reeling and questioning the heel toe weight ratio of his 6 iron once again.
Result: T3
Xander Schauffele
Everyone knows that if you want to win the Masters you have got to come into the tournament HOT… and not just a couple of top tens hot. At a minimum, you are gonna need Christina Aguilera 2002-2003 levels of hotness in order to hit the ground running at Augusta National. Fortunately, Xander has exactly the right amount of hotness that we are looking for. After a 3rd place finish at Sawgrass and a T4 finish at the Valspar, Schauffele will sprint down Magnolia Lane to lead the tournament early and contend late into the weekend.
Result: T5
Ludvig Åberg
Effortless power, simplistic precision and a marvelously brisk pace of play will only get you so far in life. Fortunately, for Åberg, that place is inside of Butler cabin on Sunday afternoon.
Ladies and gentleman… Ludvig Åberg is your 2026 Masters Champion.
After being in contention on Sunday for his first two Masters appearances, Ludvig has all the experience that he needs to push himself across the finish line. A recent Sunday fade at The Players has properly motivated this young lad to step into the circle of greatness at the ripe young age of 26.
Result: Masters Champion