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Discover the top contenders to win the 2026 Masters at Augusta National, featuring golf’s biggest stars chasing the green jacket.
The Race for the Green Jacket Begins
As is customary, Augusta National is golf’s first major tournament of the season. There’s some special significance this season, as the 90th edition of The Masters goes Thursday through Sunday, April 9th through 12th. History notes that the first event was held (as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament) in 1934. Horton Smith won it, along with $1,500.
Also, as is customary, anyone who’s anyone in the sport is out to add a Masters 2026 green jacket to their wardrobe. Having ended an elongated drought in majors last season, Rory McIlroy is set to defend his title. There hasn’t been a repeat winner at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001-02.
As of this late-March writing, there’s no dominant performer on tour. While several big names (Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young, etc.) have notched wins, there’s been a spreading round of the wealth to this point (three tourneys are remaining between now and Augusta).
Scheffler, the 2022 and ‘24 winner of this event, is the current 13-4 (+325) choice to take the 2026 Masters, while McIlroy is the second choice at 6-1 (+600). It’s Bryson DeChambeau at 8-1 (+800), the only other golfers under double digits on the pre-tourney Masters leaderboard.
Jon Rahm (‘23 winner) is next at 12-1 (+1200), ahead of Ludvig Aberg (14-1, [+1400]). Those five players lead the wagering as of now, with the friendly reminder that odds are fluid.
There’s been speculation that Woods will make his first Masters appearance since. The five-time champ at Augusta (having last won at age 43 in 2019) is a 140-1 (+14000) proposition this time around. That’s a current snapshot of The Masters Tournament: To Win Outright.
Regarding the LIV Tour players, certain members (including past Masters champs) can compete at Augusta. Do your homework and check who’s eligible/qualified before making any wager.
Here’s a bit of a primer on the 2026 Masters…
How Much is a Four-Day Pass to The Masters in 2026?
It ain’t cheap. Four-day Augusta National ‘badges’ are priced at $525, with individual days at $160 (tournament) and around $159 (practice). These are face value prices (according to the always-reliable internet), if you ‘won the lottery’ and the opportunity to purchase tickets. The secondary market might force someone to take out a loan.
What is a Green Jacket in Golf?
It’s not something a clothes horse might go out and purchase, but it’s sartorially significant in the world of golf. Win The Masters 2026, and you’re presented with a green jacket, which was first given to Sam Snead back in 1949 and subsequently awarded retroactively to previous winners
Why a green jacket? Seems that Augusta National members have worn them since 1937.
Where Will The Masters Be in 2026?
It’s nowhere other than Augusta National, making The Masters unique among PGA Tour golfing majors. While the other three tournaments (United States and British Opens, PGA Championship) rotate venues, Augusta’s been the only home of The Masters.
Any Final Thoughts?
Once the men’s and women’s Final Fours are contested and the basketball national champions are crowned, attention turns in earnest to Masters news and Masters odds. While not correct, saying it begins the golf season, interest is certainly heightened with the azaleas at Augusta.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
