Picking a winner at The Masters Tournament 2026 is tough call, as it always is!
Form matters. Experience matters. Confidence matters. But perhaps more than anything, understanding the golf course itself is what separates contenders from the rest of the field.
With that in mind, we’ve selected three players who arrive at Augusta with a strong combination of current form, course history and the type of game that tends to succeed at The Masters.
Justin Rose
There are few players in the field who understand Augusta National quite like Justin Rose.
He arrives in 2026 off the back of a strong start to the season, including a win at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. While things have been quieter since, Rose has never been a player who relies purely on momentum. His strength at Augusta comes from experience and course knowledge.
That experience is significant. Rose has recorded seven top ten finishes at The Masters, including a second place finish in 2025 where he narrowly lost out to Rory McIlroy in a playoff.
Augusta rewards players who know where to miss, how to manage the greens and when to take risks. Rose fits that profile perfectly. His controlled ball flight, strong iron play and consistent putting make him a natural contender every time he tees it up here.
If he finds a rhythm early in the week, he will believe he has a genuine chance to go one better this time around.
What’s In The Bag
Driver
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max 9°
Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 TX
Fairway Woods
TaylorMade Qi4D 15° and 21°
Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 80 TX
Irons
Miura TC-202 4 to 6
Miura MC-502 7 to PW
KBS C-Taper 125 S+
Wedges
Titleist Vokey SM10 52° and 56°
Titleist Vokey Design Wedgeworks 60°
True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Onyx S400
Putter
Scotty Cameron Phantom T-5 Tour Prototype
Ball
Titleist Pro V1x
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick might not have the same standout Masters record as some of his peers, but his consistency at Augusta should not be overlooked.
Since his debut in 2014, he has made every cut apart from that first appearance, with two top ten finishes along the way. That level of consistency speaks to a player who understands how to navigate the golf course without making costly mistakes.
What makes Fitzpatrick particularly interesting this year is his recent form. His confidence has clearly been building. A strong showing at the The Players Championship was followed by a win at the Valspar Championship, and he was also part of a successful European team at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
Augusta is not a course that always favours the most powerful players. It rewards control, precision and decision making. Fitzpatrick’s game is built around exactly that. His ability to stay patient, avoid big mistakes and manage difficult conditions makes him a serious contender.
If his putter warms up at the right time, he has all the tools to challenge.
What’s In The Bag
Driver
Titleist GT3 9°
Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 65 TX
Fairway Woods
TaylorMade Qi35 15° and 18°
Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 75 TX
Irons
Ping i210 3 and 4
Ping S55 5 to PW
Project X LZ 6.5
Wedges
Titleist Vokey SM10 52°, 56°, 60°
True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 X100
True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300
Putter
Bettinardi DASS BB1
Ball
Titleist Pro V1x
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau has had a fascinating relationship with Augusta National.
In the past, he made bold claims about how the course could be overpowered, suggesting that the par should effectively be lower for him. Those comments did not quite translate into results at the time, but in recent years his performances have improved significantly.
He has recorded back to back top ten finishes, improving from sixth to fifth, showing that his approach to the course has evolved. Rather than trying to overpower Augusta, he appears to have adapted his strategy and learned how to manage its challenges more effectively.
His recent form on the LIV Golf circuit has also been impressive, with back to back wins in Singapore and South Africa. That kind of momentum heading into a major is difficult to ignore.
Bryson brings something different to the field. His power is still a huge asset, particularly on the par fives, but it is his improved control and course management that now make him a genuine contender.
If he continues trending in the right direction at Augusta, this could be the year he seriously challenges for the Green Jacket.
What’s In The Bag
Driver
Krank Golf Formula Fire LD 5°
True Temper Project X Prototype D70
Fairway Woods
Krank Golf Formula Fire 10° and 13°
LA Golf Bad Prototype
Irons
Avoda Golf Bryson DeChambeau Prototype 3 to PW
LA Golf Bad Prototype
Wedges
Bettinardi HLX 5.0 Forged 50° and 54°
Ping Glide 4.0 60°
LA Golf Bad Prototype
Putter
LA Golf SIK Pro C-Series Armlock
Ball
Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash
Final Thoughts
There are always plenty of contenders at The Masters Tournament, but the players who succeed tend to share similar traits.
They understand the golf course. They manage the greens. They stay patient. And they arrive with confidence in their game.
Justin Rose brings experience and consistency. Matt Fitzpatrick offers control and recent form. Bryson DeChambeau combines power with a more mature approach to Augusta.
All three have a realistic chance of being in the mix come Sunday.
And as always at Augusta, it may not be the player who hits the best shots that wins, but the one who makes the fewest mistakes.