Nate Tramdaks, Staff Writer

The flowers are in full bloom on the most hallowed grounds in golf. Every year, we head down to Georgia the first week of April to celebrate the champions of the past and to find out who will don the Green Jacket next. 

The 2025 Masters Tournament was about as close to perfection as you can possibly imagine. Rory McIlroy got his masterpiece, completing the career grand slam after a 14-year journey, defeating Justin Rose in a thrilling playoff. 

The bar is set high for 2026, and for the first time in a while, there is no clear favorite. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler looks completely out of sorts, McIlroy is battling through a post-Masters hangover, and it seems the rest of the field is chomping at the bit. Here are three players to keep an eye on for the week.

Ludvig Åberg

Åberg is starting to become a regular contender at Augusta. In his first Masters start back in 2024, he finished solo second, four shots beyond the champion, Scheffler. In 2025, Åberg was in contention all week and was even tied for the lead with Rose and McIlroy late on Sunday, but ultimately faded in the final three holes and finished seventh. After Åberg’s poor play on Sunday at the Players Championship this year, concerns are starting to be raised about his play under pressure. Despite these concerns, Åberg is still one of the best ball strikers on tour, and on a course like Augusta, this is key. Under pressure, he starts to become wild off the tee, but for the most part, you can get away with it on Augusta. In his last two starts in 2026, Åberg finished T3 and T5. This Masters marks another opportunity for Åberg to attain his welcome to the moment win.

Akshay Bhatia 

Bhatia is off to a blazing start to 2026. In his last five PGAT starts he has finished T16 or better, including a win at Arnie’s place. Bhatia’s game fits Augusta perfectly. He is not a dominant off-the-tee player, but he is an exceptional approach player and putter. This is where players win this tournament–115 yards and in. Bhatia has hit 84.2% of greens in regulation from the fairway under 150 yards, and although he has struggled from the rough, this is no concern at Augusta. Bhatia is making his third trip to Augusta this year. In 2024 he finished T35, and last year he finished T42. He is rolling right now, and there is no time like the present to earn your first major victory. 

Xander Schauffele 

As the current world No. 6, Schauffele is undoubtedly in his prime. After winning the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2024, he backed it up in 2025 with Top-12 finishes in The Open and U.S. Open, as well as appearing on the USA Ryder Cup team. Schauffele’s time to win the Green Jacket is now. The top is wide open, and of the guys vying to claim their share, he has the most experience in Major conditions, especially at Augusta. In his last seven starts at Augusta, he has finished top 10 five times. In 2025 he finished T8, and in 2024 was solo 8th. Xander’s game lends itself to Augusta, a solid driver of the golf ball, but more importantly, one of the best approach players in the sport. He is the best player in the world in strokes gained via approach at 2.2. A win at Augusta would catapult Schauffele into some serious all-time conversations and would put him a U.S. Open win away from completing the career grand slam.