The 2025 Masters Tournament: A Preview

The first major championship of the year, the 2025 Masters Tournament, tees off this Thursday at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters as the favorite (+475), closely followed by Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Jon Rahm.

Expert Picks to Win

Our panel of golf experts has weighed in on who they believe will don the green jacket this Sunday:

• Matt Barrie: "Rory McIlroy. It's his time."
• Tory Barron: "Brooks Koepka. He thrives when underestimated."
• Jeff Darlington: "Justin Thomas is peaking at the right time."
• Michael Eaves: "McIlroy’s form and stats make him the favorite."
• Mark Schlabach: "McIlroy completes the career Grand Slam this year."

Betting Roundtable

Where do our betting analysts see the best value?

1. David Gordon (ESPN Research)

   • Winner: Collin Morikawa (+1400)
   • Top 10: Sepp Straka (+525)

2. Tyler Fulghum (ESPN BET Live)

   • Winner: Rory McIlroy (+600)
   • Long Shot: Phil Mickelson (+10000)

3. Pamela Maldonado (Betting Analyst)

   • Winner: Morikawa (+1400)
   • Top 10: Corey Conners (+800)

4. Anita Marks (ESPN Betting Analyst)

   • Winner: McIlroy (+600)
   • Top American: Collin Morikawa (+800)

Key Stats and Trends

• Strokes Gained: Tee to Green: The last four Masters winners ranked 1st or 2nd in this metric. McIlroy enters 2nd.
• Morikawa’s Iron Play: Leads the Tour in strokes gained: approach this season.
• Weather Impact: Forecasted sunny skies and light winds favor aggressive play on par 5s.

Long Shots to Watch

• Cameron Young (+17500): Struggling this season but has elite upside.
• Phil Mickelson (+10000): The 2010 champion knows Augusta better than anyone.
• Robert MacIntyre (+5500): Steady improvement and past Top 25s at Augusta.

Betting Strategies

• Scheffler First Round Top 10 (+162): His elite ball-striking makes this a savvy play.
• Max Homa Miss Cut (-115): Currently in a slump with five straight missed cuts.
• Tyrrell Hatton Miss Cut (+240): Volatility hurts his chances on Augusta’s demanding layout.

Final Thoughts

With McIlroy seeking his first Masters to complete the Grand Slam and Scheffler defending his title, the drama at Augusta National promises to be unforgettable. Whether you’re rooting for a favorite or a long shot, the 2025 Masters is set to deliver thrilling golf from start to finish.