The Masters 2026 Betting Tips: Preview, Odds and Expert Predictions for Augusta National

The golfing world turns its attention to Augusta National this week for the first major of the year, as the 2026 edition of The Masters takes centre stage.

Few events in sport carry the same level of prestige, tradition and intrigue, and as ever, Augusta provides a unique and exacting test.

With its undulating fairways, lightning-fast greens and iconic risk-reward moments, it demands a complete game, and those who arrive in peak form with a proven pedigree tend to rise to the top.

With the best players in the world assembled and storylines building across the board, from defending champion Rory McIlroy to perennial contenders like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm, the stage is perfectly set for another compelling renewal at one of golf’s most iconic venues.

The Masters 2026 key information, prize money and how to watch

First played in 1934, Augusta National has been its permanent home, producing some of the most memorable moments in golf history and consistently rewarding the very best players in the world.

91 players are set to tee it up on Thursday, with the top-50 and ties making the weekend.

It will also be the first Masters since 1994 without either Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, who are both dealing with different personal matters away from the course.

Undoubtedly, Augusta is truly unlike any other stop on the calendar all year, so we should be in for an incredible event as usual.

• Venue: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA
• Dates: Thursday 9th April to Sunday 12th April
• Total Prize Purse: Approximately £15.7 million
• Winner’s Prize Money: Approximately £3.2 million
• TV Channel: Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports Main Event
• Broadcast Times:
  Thursday and Friday: From 14:00pm (UK)
  Saturday and Sunday: From 16:30pm (UK)
• Tee Times: Can be found here when they go live

If you're new to golf betting, check out our guide on how to pick a winner when betting on golf using statistics, form and course history

What does it take to win at Augusta National? Key statistics and angles

Augusta National remains one of the most complete tests in golf, where there are no shortcuts to success.

At over 7,500 yards, the course plays longer than the card suggests due to elevation changes and strategic design, while the lack of penal rough places a premium on elite driving rather than pure accuracy.

Players who can consistently gain strokes off the tee hold a clear advantage, particularly when attacking the par 5s.

Recent winners such as Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson all excelled with the driver, underlining that while distance alone isn’t everything, positive Strokes Gained: Off-The-Tee is a near prerequisite.

Approach play remains the most important statistic, as Augusta’s small, contoured greens demand precise iron play, particularly with long irons, while misses are often funnelled into tightly mown run-offs that place huge emphasis on short-game skill.

Scrambling and creativity around the greens are critical, especially with firm and fast conditions expected.

However, unlike many PGA Tour stops, putting is less about spikes and more about avoiding mistakes – Augusta is a tee-to-green test first and foremost.

Course history is also more predictive here than anywhere else on Tour.

Experience of Augusta’s nuances, from green complexes to sightlines, consistently separates contenders from the rest. Very few debutants contend, and most winners have multiple prior appearances, often with previous top finishes.

Recent form is another key angle, with very few exceptions, winners arrive in strong form, often having already won or contended in the months leading up to the Masters.

Key Statistics to win at Augusta National:

• Strokes Gained: Off-The-Tee
• Strokes Gained: Approach
• Strokes Gained: Around-The-Green / Scrambling
• Par-5 Scoring
• Augusta National Course History

Correlated Courses to consider:

Courses that reward elite ball-striking, strategic driving and strong short-game play often provide strong indicators for Augusta success.

• Riviera Country Club – Genesis Invitational
• Bay Hill – Arnold Palmer Invitational
• TPC Sawgrass – The Players Championship
• Muirfield Village – Memorial Tournament
• Torrey Pines – Farmers Insurance Open

Riviera, in particular, has proven to be one of the strongest form guides, with numerous Masters champions having won or contended there.

The Masters 2026 Betting Tips and Predictions

At the head of the market, Scottie Scheffler is the sole 6/1 favourite, with defending champion Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm all closely priced between 9/1 and 12/1.

However, many of the names at the top of the betting arrive with some level of uncertainty.

Scheffler, while the best player in the world on his day, has had a quieter season by his standards and also welcomes the arrival of a new child, which may impact preparation.

McIlroy faces the historical challenge of defending at Augusta, something that has proven difficult over the years.

Meanwhile, Collin Morikawa carries a back injury concern, Ludvig Aberg’s inability to close tournaments is becoming a frustrating and recurring theme, and while DeChambeau feels like a natural fit, his short game remains a concern, particularly given his struggles over the closing stretch when battling McIlroy last year.

All of that leads back to a familiar name at the top end of the market.

Here Are Six Tips To Win Big in Golf Betting

Jon Rahm – 12/1 each-way (3 places)

Jon Rahm looks to have the fewest question marks of the ‘favourites' heading into this year’s Masters, and is arguably the best player on the planet right now, despite Datagolf ranking him second.

His form on LIV Golf this season (2-2-1-5-2) highlights his consistency, and while that form can be difficult to assess fully, the underlying numbers suggest he is trending back towards his very best.

Notably, his approach play has significantly improved compared to last year, returning to levels similar to his dominant 2023 campaign.

Rahm’s record at Augusta is also elite – finishes of 4th, 9th, 7th, 5th and 1st emphasise both his comfort and consistency at this venue, and he remains one of the most complete players in the world.

With added motivation stemming from ongoing tensions regarding his 2027 Ryder Cup eligibility, a win here would be a powerful statement to help put the narrative back in his own hands.

Back Rahm to win The Masters at 12/1 each-way with three places on offer at Bet365

Xander Schauffele – 16/1 each-way (7 places)

Xander Schauffele’s season appears to have been building towards this moment.

The American has quietly put together a series of strong performances, including multiple top-10 finishes in elite fields such as at Riviera and TPC Sawgrass, and while he has yet to convert one into a win, his consistency at the highest level is difficult to ignore.

Statistically, he remains one of the most well-rounded players on Tour, ranking 14th for SG: Approach and sixth for Scrambling, an ideal combination for Augusta, without needing to overthink it.

His course history further strengthens the case – a runner-up finish in 2019, third in 2021, and three consecutive top-10s highlight his comfort at Augusta National, where he has consistently gained strokes tee-to-green at an elite level.

With two majors already to his name, it feels like only a matter of time before he adds a Green Jacket to his impressive accolades.

Back Schauffele to win The Masters at 16/1 each-way with seven places on offer at BetMGM

Best Golf Betting Sites in the UK for 2026

Hideki Matsuyama – 30/1 each-way (8 places)

Hideki Matsuyama is another former champion who arrives with a profile perfectly suited to Augusta.

Renowned for his elite iron play and exceptional short game, Matsuyama thrives on demanding, ball-striking tests, and his experience here is invaluable. This will be his 15th Masters appearance, having made the cut in 13 of 14 starts, also finishing inside the top 20 on eight occasions.

His victory in 2021 came in similarly firm conditions, and with another fast setup expected, that experience could prove crucial.

The Japan native also boasts a strong record in elite-field events, including wins at Riviera, Muirfield Village and a couple of World Golf Championships, further reinforcing his credentials on this type of stage.

As ever, the putter remains the key variable, but if it performs to even an average level, he has all the tools to contend – and hopefully win – here once again.

Back Matsuyama to win The Masters at 30/1 each-way with eight places on offer at Betfred

Patrick Reed – 33/1 each-way (8 places)

Patrick Reed is another player whose Augusta record demands respect.

The 2018 champion has continued to perform strongly at this venue, with four finishes of T12 or better in the past five years, including a third-place finish last year.

Few players in the field possess his combination of course knowledge, short-game brilliance, and competitive edge.

Having left LIV at the start of the year, Reed arrives in strong form, having recorded two wins either side of a runner-up finish on the DP World Tour earlier this season.

While this recent schedule, last appearing with a T10 at the Joburg Open, may not mirror that of PGA Tour contenders, he has previously shown that unconventional preparation does not hinder his performance at Augusta – the American finished third here last year on the back of a runner-up finish in Macau, of all places.

I'm willing to trust Reed and his own judgment when it comes to his preparation for Augusta.

He's a streaky player who can build momentum quickly once in form, and given his proven ability to contend here, he looks a solid each-way option once again.

Back Reed to win The Masters at 33/1 each-way with eight places on offer at Betfair

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