AUGUSTA, Ga. — While Tiger Woods will miss the 89th Masters due to recovery from an Achilles injury, the tournament remains highly anticipated as top golfers gather at Augusta National Golf Club.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler aims to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win three green jackets in four years. He also seeks to become only the fourth to win back-to-back Masters, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy enters with strong momentum and seeks to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. This is McIlroy`s 11th attempt to win a green jacket and end a decade-long major drought.

Adding to the excitement, for the first time in months, golfers from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League will compete in the same tournament.

`It’s a week we all cherish,` stated Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion. `It marks the beginning of the major championship series, where history is made each year.`

Here’s a look at the 96 players in the field, categorized from potential winners to those aiming to make the cut.

Jump to a section:
The clear favorites | Guys who can win | If everything goes right
Miracles happen | Happy to make the cut | Past champions | Amateurs

Tier I: The Clear Favorites

While a Scheffler-McIlroy duel is anticipated, golfers like Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, and Xander Schauffele are strong contenders for a Sunday charge. Here are the top contenders for the green jacket.

Scottie Scheffler
Despite a hand injury earlier in the season, the world No. 1 is regaining form. He recently finished second at the Texas Children`s Houston Open. While seeking his first win of the season, Scheffler, with two Masters wins in the last three years, is a top pick.

Rory McIlroy
This Masters could be pivotal for McIlroy`s Grand Slam quest. With two pre-April victories and strong recent play, he might be the player to beat at Augusta. Despite driver adjustments and elbow soreness in Houston, he is a major threat.

Collin Morikawa
Morikawa leads in strokes gained from tee to green, a key stat for recent Masters champions. Although without a win since October 2023, a breakthrough seems imminent. He was in contention at the 2024 Masters, finishing third.

Jon Rahm
The 2023 Masters champion, Rahm addressed concerns about LIV Golf competition by finishing seventh at The Open last year. With LIV Golf wins and consistent top finishes, Rahm has a strong Augusta record with multiple top-10s.

Ludvig Åberg
Åberg impressed with a second-place finish in his Masters debut last year. Despite a strong start to the season with a PGA Tour win, recent inconsistent performances raise questions. His approach and putting stats are currently outside the top 100.

Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau, after past controversies, had a strong Masters showing last year, leading after the first round and finishing sixth, his best result at Augusta.

Xander Schauffele
Schauffele, a major champion in the previous year, has a good Masters record with multiple top-10s. Returning from injury, he showed strong approach play in his recent Valspar Championship appearance.

Brooks Koepka
As a five-time major winner, Koepka is always a contender. With multiple top-10s at Augusta, including two runner-up finishes, he aims to overcome past pressures and win a green jacket.

Tier II: The Guys Who Can Win

Beyond the top favorites, these contenders possess the skill and composure needed for success at Augusta.

Justin Thomas
Thomas is showing improved form, with a recent second-place finish at the Valspar Championship. Despite past Masters struggles, his overall game suggests he could contend.

Cameron Smith
Smith, a LIV Golf captain, has a strong Masters record, consistently finishing in the top 10 at Augusta.

Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood achieved his first Masters top-10 in 2024 and has been consistent in tour events this season.

Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has been playing well on the DP World Tour and had a top-10 finish at the 2024 Masters, overcoming past Augusta struggles.

Jordan Spieth
Approaching the anniversary of his 2015 Masters win, Spieth shows signs of resurgence after wrist surgery. Despite recent missed cuts at Augusta, his overall Masters record is strong.

Joaquín Niemann
Niemann, a prolific winner globally, seeks his first major top-10. He has shown improved Masters performances in recent years and has LIV Golf wins this season.

Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion started the season strong with a win but has struggled with driving accuracy in 2025.

Russell Henley
Henley, a Georgia native, recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has a past Masters top-5 finish.

Sepp Straka
Straka, with a win at the American Express this year, has progressively improved his Masters finishes.

Viktor Hovland
Hovland recently won the Valspar Championship, raising questions if this signals a return to top form.

Min Woo Lee
Lee recently secured his first PGA Tour win at the Houston Open and has past Masters top-25 finishes.

Patrick Reed
The 2018 Masters champion consistently performs well at Augusta, with frequent top-12 finishes.

Justin Rose
A two-time Masters runner-up, Rose has been inconsistent this season but is capable of a strong Masters performance.

Daniel Berger
Berger is playing well after injury recovery, with consistent top finishes leading up to the Masters. However, his Masters record since 2016 is less impressive.

Keegan Bradley
Bradley, the `Captain America`, has recent Masters top-25 finishes.

Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre returns to the Masters after a good 2023 season and a high world ranking.

Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris is seeking a major breakthrough after injury. He has three consecutive Masters top-10s, but putting remains a concern.

Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay is consistent in majors, with consecutive Masters top-25 finishes.

Shane Lowry
Lowry has been in contention this season, with a past Masters top-3 finish.

Maverick McNealy
McNealy`s strong season has elevated his ranking, making his Masters debut highly anticipated.

Harris English
English, a Georgia native, won the Farmers Insurance Open and is known for his putting ability.

Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard impressed in his Masters debut last year, holding a brief lead before a challenging third round.

Tier III: If Everything Goes Right

These are sleeper picks with the potential to win if they peak at Augusta.

Wyndham Clark
Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, has had inconsistent form but recently showed promise with a top-5 finish in Houston.

Sungjae Im
Im has a mixed Masters record, alternating between high finishes and missed cuts.

Dustin Johnson
The 2020 Masters champion`s recent LIV Golf results have been varied, but he showed improvement with a recent top-5 finish.

Lucas Glover
Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open winner, is entering the Masters with strong recent finishes, fitting Augusta`s course profile.

Brian Harman
Harman, the 2023 Open Champion, recently found form and won the Valero Texas Open, improving his Masters outlook after past struggles.

J.J. Spaun
Spaun is playing well, achieving a high world ranking and contending in recent events.

Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia, a young talent, has multiple tour wins and a recent high finish at the Players Championship.

Jason Day
Day`s Masters record has declined since his last top-5 in 2019.

Adam Scott
Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, seeks his first top-10 since 2017.

Tony Finau
Finau has struggled recently, particularly with iron play, despite past strong performances.

Sahith Theegala
Theegala impressed in his 2023 Masters debut but has had inconsistent results this season.

Thomas Detry
Detry, a major championship performer, makes his Masters debut.

Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open winner, has consistent Masters top-25 finishes but has faced challenges recently.

Tom Kim
Kim has made the cut in his first two Masters appearances but has shown inconsistent form in 2025.

Corey Conners
Conners has a strong Masters record with consecutive top-10s but recent iron play is less sharp.

Chris Kirk
Kirk has consistent recent Masters finishes but needs improved putting for a higher result.

Sam Burns
Burns has struggled at Augusta and in recent events.

Michael Kim
Kim makes his first Masters start since 2019, qualifying due to his world ranking improvement.

Tier IV: Hey, Miracles Happen

These are long shots, including past champions and players seeking a turnaround at Augusta.

Davis Thompson
Thompson, a Georgia native, is showing improved form and makes his Masters debut.

Cam Davis
Davis showed promise at last year`s Masters but has had recent struggles.

Aaron Rai
Rai, making his Masters debut, is known for strong iron play and has performed well in majors.

Tom Hoge
Hoge, another strong iron player, enters with a recent top-5 finish.

Billy Horschel
Horschel has a consistent Masters cut record and could gain local support.

Denny McCarthy
McCarthy`s putting could make him a contender if it`s strong at Augusta.

Taylor Pendrith
Pendrith, making his Masters debut, has multiple top-10s this season.

J.T. Poston
Poston has made consecutive Masters cuts and is playing consistently.

Phil Mickelson
Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, had a strong performance in 2023 and remains a threat.

Nick Taylor
Taylor, a recent tour winner, has struggled in majors.

Cameron Young
Young has past Masters top-10s but recent form is poor.

Sergio Garcia
Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, is making his 100th major start but has struggled at Augusta recently.

Danny Willett
Willett, an unexpected 2016 champion, could surprise again.

Laurie Canter
Canter, making his Masters debut, qualified through world ranking.

Byeong Hun An
An had a good Masters finish last year, his second-best major result.

Nick Dunlap
Dunlap, a young talent, has struggled in majors and recent tour events but has potential.

Rasmus Højgaard
Højgaard, making his Masters debut, is a DP World Tour winner and Nicolai`s twin brother.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bezuidenhout is a strong putter but needs improved iron play and is coming off missed cuts.

Stephan Jager
Jager missed the cut in his 2024 Masters debut.

Matthieu Pavon
Pavon impressed in his Masters debut but has struggled this season.

Adam Schenk
Schenk had a good Masters finish last year but recent form is poor.

Tier V: Happy to Make the Cut

These players are unlikely to contend but making the weekend at Augusta would be a success.

Max Homa
Joe Highsmith
Brian Campbell
Rafael Campos
Nico Echavarria
Austin Eckroat
Max Greyserman
Patton Kizzire
Thriston Lawrence
Matt McCarty
Davis Riley
Jhonattan Vegas
Kevin Yu

Homa, despite past high world ranking, has struggled recently. Several players in this tier are Masters first-timers, historically challenging for debutants. Riley is also a Masters debutant showing recent improvement.

Tier VI: Past Champions

These past champions are present due to their legacy but are unlikely to contend for another title.

Ángel Cabrera
Fred Couples
Zach Johnson
Bernhard Langer
José María Olazábal
Charl Schwartzel
Vijay Singh
Bubba Watson
Mike Weir

Langer`s participation is notable as potentially his last Masters. Couples and Singh have achieved records as older players making the cut. Cabrera returns after a hiatus due to personal issues.

Tier VII: Amateurs

They are the amateur participants aiming to follow past amateurs who made the cut before turning professional.

Josele Ballester
Evan Beck
Justin Hastings
Noah Kent
Hiroshi Tai

Ballester is a highly-ranked amateur and U.S. Amateur champion. Kent was the U.S. Amateur runner-up. Beck is the U.S. Mid-Amateur champion. Hastings won the Latin American Amateur Championship. Tai is the NCAA Division I individual champion and the first Singaporean to compete in the Masters.