Nate Tramdaks, Staff Writer

Forget the Spring Equinox. Spring does not truly start until that first camera pans down Magnolia Lane. Only then, when you see the bright Georgian flowers in full bloom, do you feel like winter is over. The drive through Magnolia Lane takes us to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Course, where a tradition like no other takes place. This will be the 89th Masters tournament, the first of four golf majors, and this one is jam-packed with storylines. From LIV-PGA tensions, Roy McIlroy’s career grand slam chance, and Scottie Scheffler to go back-to-back, here is your preliminary guide to the 2025 Masters.

Round 1 Groups to Follow

Arguably the most electric grouping belongs to world No. 1 and defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who is paired with two-time major winner, Justin Thomas and U.S. Amateur champion, Jose Luis Ballester. Scheffler enters with +450 odds to repeat, a feat only achieved by Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. Though winless in 2025, Scheffler’s consistency is unmatched: he leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained: tee-to-green (+2.37) and has six top-10 finishes in eight starts.

Justin Thomas, sitting at +2200, looks to build on two runner-up finishes earlier this year. He ranks 5th in strokes gained: approach and 8th in scrambling, both key metrics. Thomas has made the cut in each of his last seven Masters appearances but is still searching for that elusive Green Jacket.

Then there’s Josele Ballester, the reigning U.S. Amateur champ from Spain. At just 21, he’s the long shot of the group, but he carries the flag for a new generation of talent. Amateurs rarely make noise at Augusta, only three have ever finished in the top 10, but Ballester’s disciplined iron game could make him a fun watch.

The other marquee group features Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg, and Akshay Bhatia, three very different players chasing very different goals.

McIlroy (+650) continues his decade-long quest to complete the career Grand Slam(winning all four of golf’s majors). The Northern Irishman has already won twice this season and enters the week second in strokes gained: total and first in par-5 scoring, a key stat in golf.

Åberg (+1800) is perhaps the most intriguing name in the field– a runner-up in his debut in last year’s Masters, he’s backed by 9.2% of all BetMGM bets, fourth-most in the field, and currently ranks top 10 in greens-in-regulation and strokes gained: off the tee. The 24-year-old Swede is a trendy breakout pick for good reason.

Akshay Bhatia, just 22, has quietly put together a stellar 2025 campaign. Fresh off his victory at the Valero Texas Open two weeks ago, he currently sits 10th in the FedEx Cup standings and is gaining over 1.6 strokes per round, a massive leap from his 2023 numbers. Bhatia is also hitting over 73% of greens in regulation this season and ranks third in total birdies. Though making his Masters debut, his unflappable demeanor and recent form makes him a surprise contender.

Three Favorites to Watch

Ludvig Åberg (+1700)
My personal favorite and already one of the hottest names on Tour, Åberg has climbed to No. 6 in the world and leads the PGA Tour in total driving. He has yet to win a major, but his comfort at Augusta is rare for such a young player. He is also gaining +1.9 strokes per round and has four top-5 finishes in 2025. His blend of accuracy and poise makes him a legitimate threat to win.

Justin Thomas (+2200)
Thomas’s last six starts include two top-3 finishes, and his recent putting resurgence (he has jumped from 112th to 41st in strokes gained: putting) has made him a solid player again. With 10 top-10 finishes in majors, he is as seasoned as they come and seems due for another big breakthrough.

Phil Mickelson (+10000)
At 54 years old and carrying 100/1 odds, Phil Mickelson is far from a betting favorite but he is not to be overlooked. Lefty stunned the golf world in 2023 with a T2 finish at Augusta, becoming the oldest player to ever shoot 65 in the final round. He has made the cut in 28 of 31 Masters rounds and ranks 2nd all-time in birdies at Augusta National. Though playing a limited schedule, Mickelson has averaged 70.4 strokes per round in his last five LIV Golf events and still boasts elite touch around the greens; he ranks first in scrambling conversion within 20 yards among LIV players.

Phil’s knowledge of Augusta’s undulations could give him an edge over younger players unfamiliar with the subtleties. Few know how to shape shots or read these greens better, and if he is within reach on Sunday, don’t be shocked if the galleries roar again for Lefty.