2026 Masters Preview
- 23 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Bobby Jones once famously said of Augusta National,
“There isn’t a hole out here that can’t be birdied if you just think. But there isn’t one that can’t be double-bogeyed if you stop thinking”.
In other words, Augusta National doesn’t just reward great golf, it exposes a player’s weaknesses.
Here's a Masters preview.
So, what is required to navigate one’s way around perhaps the most revered golf course in the world? Here are six key areas…
Off the tee: Being long is a given, but the ability to shape the ball the correct way is also an asset to provide the best angles for approach shots into the greens.
Iron play: Augusta’s putting surfaces are large in area, but play small because of their firmness, speed, and slope. Controlling trajectory and spin into the greens are essential for optimum birdie (and eagle) looks.
Scrambling: An off week around the greens means packing your bags Friday night, because making the cut is almost impossible. A full repertoire of short game shots along with a vast imagination are both required to contend.
Green reading and lag putting: 3-putt avoidance is at the top of everyone’s list before the tournament starts. Leaving the ball below the hole certainly helps, but you need to be an artist, rather than a scientist on these greens.
Par-5’s: Year-in-year-out the four par 5’s are the easiest holes on the course. Quite simply, they must be taken advantage of.
Course knowledge and patience: There’s a reason the last ‘first-time’ winner was almost 50 years ago (1979, Fuzzy Zoeller). It’s the ultimate venue for experience and patience.
Here are the favorites…
Scottie Scheffler – The rightful favourite. He’s elite from tee-to-green and a proven winner at Augusta (2022 and 2024). Even though he’s been ‘angrier’ than usual on the course lately, he just had his second child and some time off. He’ll be relaxed and (somewhat) refreshed.
Rory McIlroy – Now a Masters and Career Grand Slam champion, Rory will be freer than he’s ever been here. The back issues are behind him, and no longer will he have to answer the question, “When are you going to win around here?”
Jon Rahm – The 2023 champion has been tearing it up on LIV. One win, three runner ups and a fifth-place finish in five starts means he’s in form playing a venue he loves.
Bryson DeChambeau – Speaking of in-form, Bryson’s coming off back-to-back wins on LIV. My only concern is on the greens where he’s a scientist, not an artist.
Ludvig Åberg – A great driver of the ball combined with towering irons and a calm temperament, and it seems the tall Swede is built for Augusta. He’s playing extremely good golf right now but is struggling to finish things off at the end of tournaments.
Xander Schauffele – With a third placing at The Players and T4 at Valspar, the X-man is made for the majors with no obvious weaknesses. I’ll be very surprised if he’s not on page one of the leaderboard come Sunday.
Matt Fitzpatrick – The Englishman blends precision with grit and after a runner up at The Players followed by a win in Tampa, he’s one of the hottest golfers in the world.
Here are the Sentimental picks…
Justin Rose – A three-time runner up (two in playoff losses), he’s Augusta savvy and his preparation is going above and beyond this year to win that elusive Green Jacket.
Jordan Spieth – Yes, he already attends the Champions dinner each year, but it’s always fun when the Texan is in contention. It’s must-see TV and everyone would to see him extricate his 12th hole demons from 2016.
Tommy Fleetwood – Major-less to date, one of the nicest guys on tour almost deserves one. Augusta suits his game and he’s as patient as anyone on this course.
Min Woo Lee – An Aussie lean here (okay, I’m a little bias), but the young West Australian has all the physical tools to win this tournament one day. A mini driver for those right-to-left tee shots has been added and given it’s his fifth Masters there’s enough experience in the bag. It just depends on how much patience is in there too.
Other notables…
Patrick Reed – Always a controversial player, his pedigree (2018 champion) and form (two wins on the DPWT this year) cannot be overlooked.
Robert MacIntyre – Six out of 12 wins were by left handers from 2003-2014 (Weir, Mickelson x3, Bubba x2) and given this lefty’s recent form (T2 Texas Open, 4th at The Players) he’s one to watch.
Chris Gotterup – His first Masters so not a betting favourite, but with two wins already this year he probably doesn’t care what history says.
Harris English – Two runner ups in majors last year (PGA and Open), he’s no stranger to golf’s biggest stage. His game is elegant, stylish and seasoned… much like the course.
And my choice…
Cameron Young – With two top tens in four visits the course is obviously a good fit. After watching him close out The Players Championship a few weeks ago, he has the composure and nerve to deal with the toughest stretch in golf… the second nine holes on Sunday at the Masters.
Whatever the outcome it’s always my favorite week of the year to watch golf, and given I’m in Australia, it’s hello late nights and early mornings!!
Cheers,
Nick
