2026 Masters Picks: Staff Predictions, Outright Odds, and Expert Sleeper Plays

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Augusta National never fails to deliver, as the 2026 Masters will see Rory McIlroy no longer desperate to get the (Green Jacket) monkey off his back… but instead chase history as the first repeat winner since Tiger nearly a quarter-century ago.

Do our golf experts think Rory is up to the challenge? Or will Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and the rest of the field give us a different Masters memory?

We’ve polled the Covers staff for their Masters predictions, including who will win at Augusta this year, Masters sleeper picks to sprinkle on, First-Round Leader bets, and more.

Masters staff picks: Who we’re backing to win the Green Jacket

2026 Masters Predictions: Who will win

Andrew Caley (Senior golf betting analyst): Brooks Koepka

Koepka’s game is rounding into form now that he’s returned to the PGA Tour. He’s second on Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach, plus he’s got the experience required at Augusta, with three Top 10s and two T2s.

Odds: +4000 at BetMGM

Neil Parker (Golf betting analyst): Xander Schauffele

Schauffele checks the course history (and current form) box with True Strokes Gained across the board in each of his past three trips to Augusta and each of his past five PGA Tour events. The underlying statistics have led to strong finishes, too: Schauffele has three consecutive Top-10s at Augusta, and he heads to his ninth Masters following a solo third in THE PLAYERS and T4 in the Valspar.

Odds: +1400 at BetMGM

Chris Gregory (Golf betting analyst): Ludvig Aberg

It’s a matter of when — and not if — Ludvig Aberg breaks through for his first major championship, and his previous Masters results (second, seventh) prove he’s an excellent course fit here at Augusta. His current form of three straight Top-5 finishes? Just the cherry on top.

Odds: +1400 at BetMGM

James Bisson (Head of Content, Betting): Patrick Reed

Reed’s reputation as an Augusta tamer is well-earned (six Top-12 finishes, including a win in 2018, over his last eight appearances), and he is flaming-hot right now. This price is an absolute steal.

Odds: +3300 at BetMGM

Masters predictions: Who is a 2026 Masters sleeper?

Caley: Adam Scott

Last year, we watched a great run from Justin Rose. This year? I think it could be Scott being the elder statesman who makes a push for the Green Jacket. Not only is he a former Masters champion, but he’s playing great, ranking 12th on Tour in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green.

Odds: +6600 at BetMGM

Parker: Jake Knapp

In addition to carding five Top-10s in seven 2026 events, Knapp also paces the PGA Tour in adjusted scoring average and par-5 scoring while ranking second in bogey avoidance for the year. Add in that the bomber also ranks second in this field in True Strokes Gained: Putting in 2026, there’s oodles to like ahead of Knapp’s second trip to the Masters.

Odds: +6600 at BetMGM

Gregory: Collin Morikawa

The risk here is that Morikawa hasn’t played since withdrawing from THE PLAYERS due to an injury, but he was running hot before that and has an excellent Masters track record (three Top 10s among five Top 20s).

Odds: +3000 at BetMGM

Bisson: Shane Lowry

Lowry checks most of the boxes for Sunday Masters contention: A prior Top-3 finish, a Top-25 ranking in SG: Total in 2026, and one of the most accurate iron games in the business. He defines “sleeper.”

Odds: +6600 at BetMGM

Masters predictions: First Round Leader bets

Caley: Bryson DeChambeau

His game has really matured over the last few years, and he knows he can no longer just overpower Augusta. He has two recent LIV wins, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out of the gates strong on Thursday.

Odds: +1800 at BetMGM

Parker: Jake Knapp

I’m bullish on Knapp this week because he’s mispriced across markets. Plus, his highlighted scorching statistical profile also includes ranking third in scrambling percentage, 13th in Round 1 scoring average, and 14th in birdie-or-better percentage. He’s legit.

Odds: +5000 at BetMGM

Gregory: Cameron Young

Cam Young went T7-T3 before breaking through to win THE PLAYERS. He’s at the very top of his game, ranks 24th in Round 1 scoring average, and has started three of his last four events with rounds of 68 or better.

Odds: +2800 at BetMGM

Bisson: Min Woo Lee

I have Matt Fitzpatrick (+2500) slightly ahead in my FRL order of preference, but Lee represents better value. He’s second on tour in birdie-or-better percentage and fifth in Round 1 scoring average.

Odds: +4000 at BetMGM

More Masters picks from Covers

• Masters predictions
• Masters odds
• Masters AI predictions
• Masters sleepers
• Masters projected cut line
• Masters weather

Bonus pick: Will there be a hole-in-one at the 2026 Masters?

• Yes (-145) – Andrew Caley
• No (+115) – Neil Parker, Chris Gregory, James Bisson 

We asked our experts to weigh in on one more market: Will there be a hole-in-one at Augusta this year? Most of our staff said no… but there’s always gotta be one who disagrees.

Caley: Augusta National went away from the traditional Sunday hole location on 16 last year. I’m betting it’s back there this time around.

Parker: Aside from the traditional Sunday pin that funnels to the hole on No. 16  “Redbud,” the par-3s at Augusta are demanding, with the other three yielding just 12 total aces in the history of the Masters.

Gregory: There have been just 14 aces since 2010 — and none since Stewart Cink in 2022. I expect that drought to last at least one more year.

Bisson: There hasn’t been a Masters ace since Cink in 2022, and for good reason: Augusta’s quartet of par-3s are among the most brutal on tour. I’ll happily scoop plus money on the “No” here.

Masters favorites: Can anybody stop Scottie?

All roads to a title go through Scottie Scheffler, a two-time Masters champ and four-time major winner who is the only person on the Masters odds board shorter than 10/1. McIlroy’s chances at a second straight Masters will also be challenged by LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau — and the rest of the favorites listed below.

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