Masters picks 2026: The Bryson DeChambeau dilemma
Another Masters has arrived, and the 2026 edition feels as wide open as ever. The last few years here have felt like Scottie Scheffler's tournament to lose, but between his shoddy iron play and the fact he has not played in nearly one month, it feels like an opportunity for another big name to emerge.
Who will that be? We have some ideas.
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2026 Masters:
Masters picks 2026: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Xander Schauffele (18-1, DraftKings) — A winner in Japan during the Fall Season, Xander is currently suffering a case of the Tommy Fleetwoods, which has kept him from hoisting a novelty check in 2026, despite some close calls. What are the “Tommy Fleetwoods,” you ask? That would be playing amazing for three rounds and awful for one to fall just short of winning. That said, Xander’s gained over six strokes tee-to-green in three of his past four starts, all top 10s while averaging 6.5 SG/approach in his last two appearances. That’s to go along with three consecutive top 10s at The Masters.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Xander Schauffele (18-1, DraftKings) — Xander Schauffele has five top-10 finishes at the Masters in eight starts. That’s a 63-percent conversion rate for getting involved on Sunday afternoon. Add in three top sevens in his past four starts in 2026, and the form matches the course history. Let’s not overthink it. One of the best players in the world, who is playing exceptionally well, will win. Schauffele sure does check all of the most important boxes!
Read The Line’s Keith Stewart and Pat Mayo debate Hideki Matsuyama's chances this week:
Ryan Noonan, Content Manager 4for4/Betsperts: Jon Rahm (10-1, BetMGM) — LIV Golf’s move to a standard 72-hole format has worked in Rahm’s favor, and the results have followed. His worst finish through five 2026 events is a solo fifth-place in Singapore. He’s finished first or second in the other four starts, gaining throughout the bag. In 2023, Rahm’s last season on the PGA Tour, he gained an average of 0.93 strokes per round on approach. The past two seasons on LIV, Rahm’s been at 0.39 (2024) and 0.45 (2025). Again, good, but not great. He played six events before last year’s Masters, losing strokes on approach twice and never gaining more than 1.0 on average. This season, Rahm’s gaining an average of 0.98 strokes per round on approach, back up to his 2023 rates, and he gained 1.86 per round in Hong Kong and 2.23 in Singapore. That’s a lot of words and numbers to simply say, he’s headed to Augusta National in much better form than he did in 2025.
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Jon Rahm (10-1, BetMGM) — The Spaniard had some interesting comments on Tuesday, mentioning how his success in 2026 (a win and three runners-up in five starts) is a result of grinding on his swing in the offseason. He feels he’s playing even better than when he won here in 2023. With question marks around Scottie and Rory, it feels like an opportune time for Rahm to don the green jacket yet again.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Bryson DeChambeau (12-1, Bet365) — This is the third straight year I’m going all in on the Big Fella, and I feel as good as I ever have about it. He’s finished in the top six the last two trips, and with the amount of question marks at the top of the odds board in 2026, it feels like this Masters is there for the taking for Bryson. And if it’s going to play firm and fast like the forecast calls for, that should play into his hands. DeChambeau had plenty of success with that style of golf at Pinehurst in 2024, something he pointed to in his Tuesday presser.
Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Cameron Young (23-1, DraftKings) — There is something to be said for Players Championship winners gaining the confidence to the win the Masters as well, as Young would follow in the elite footsteps of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy this year if he were win the Players and the Masters. Young’s vast improvement on and around the greens, coupled with his power off the tee and excellent mid-to-long iron play leaves me feeling extremely confident in his chances this week.
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Past results: We have our SECOND winner of 2026, with Ryan Noonan hitting his first-ever outright as a member of the panel, correctly predicting Nico Echavarria’s win at the Cognizant Classic at 60-1. That makes two 60-1 hits for our panel this year, with Stephen Hennessey nailing Justin Rose’s Farmers win at 60-1, too.
Masters picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Akshay Bhatia (70-1, FanDuel) — Akshay actually fits the bill perfectly, though. An ascending talent with no finish worse than T-16 in any of his past five starts, with a win at Bay Hill. He’s made the cut in his first two Masters starts while his irons and putting have been lethal. Many will point to his horrendous driving display during his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but it’s worth noting that was the only time he’s lost with his driver in any of those five starts. And he still won that tournament. The bigger worry comes from his pit stop in India. Since Hero is his sponsor, he traveled to the Hero Indian Open two weeks ago and promptly missed the cut. Since I’m betting him, I’m choosing not to care about it. It is a reason most are fading him this week, however.
Stewart: Hideki Matsuyama (40-1, FanDuel) — The best time to bet Hideki Matsuyama is when all the attention is on other Masters contenders. The breadcrumbs are there—Matsuyama is gaining strokes with his driver in three of his past four starts. The iron game has been impeccable all year, and the flatstick has been strong in five of his past six events. Hideki lost strokes around the green in San Antonio to help his odds climb. He’s a true value play who has proven he can win at Augusta National: I love everything about this 2026 lead-in.
Noonan: Nicolai Hojgaard (74-1, DraftKings) — Nicolai profiles well for Augusta National with plus distance, high apex height, and the ability to shape shots both ways. He flashed in a big way back in 2024, where he was in contention late before dying on Amen Corner. He’s taken a step forward, though, in 2026. Nicolai is gaining throughout the bag this season. He’s made 12 starts worldwide since October’s Baycurrent Classic, and he’s finished inside the T-24 nine times. Five of those were T-6 or better, including a solo second-place finish in Houston the last time out. He gained an average of 0.78 strokes per round on the PGA Tour last season, and that number is up to 1.60 this season, the sixth-highest mark on tour.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Harris English (100-1, FanDuel) — This number doesn’t make sense to me. The former Georgia Bulldog had two runners-up in majors last year and also had his best career finish at Augusta National (T-12). He’s been super consistent all year—and ranks first in GIR from 200-plus yards, a crucial distance here. Back it up with a top 10, but I think he’s ready to contend for his first major.
Powers, Golf Digest: Jacob Bridgeman (84-1, DraftKings) — Is there a more undervalued player in the field than Bridgeman? He’s the 18th-ranked golfer in the world, has finished T-18 or better in all eight starts he’s made in 2026 and has a win at Riviera, a course that many guys have won at and then gone on to have success at Augusta National. The lack of experience certainly scares me, but as a number of players have proven in recent years (Will Zalatoris, Ludvig Aberg, Cameron Young, etc.), that’s beginning to matter less and less.
Lack: Harris English (100-1, FanDuel) — Harris English is the best bet that you can make this week over 100-1. He has a long history of great finishes on difficult courses, and he finished top five in two of the four major championships last year.
Masters picks 2026: Players We’re Fading
Mayo: Bryson DeChambeau (+800, Caesars Sportsbook) — It’s terrifying stepping in front of Bryson, but I remain unconvinced that his approach and chipping can hold up for the four rounds required to put on the green jacket. He’ll likely contend, but the firm, fast conditions work against his style of play.
Stewart: Bryson DeChambeau (+800, Caesars Sportsbook) — Will Bryson DeChambeau contend? Yes. Will he win? No. Augusta National is the ultimate approach exam, and DeChambeau has lost strokes to the field with his iron game in three of his past four trips down Magnolia Lane. To compound the green jacket campaign, Bryson has lost strokes to the field ARG in four of his last five Masters. A great placement bet, but I’ll go elsewhere for the outright.
Noonan: Bryson DeChambeau (+800, Caesars Sportsbook) — DeChambeau’s recent play on golf’s greatest stages has been undeniable. He’s finished T-10 or better in six of the past eight majors, including his 2024 U.S. Open win at Pinehurst. He’s gained an average of 2.56 strokes per round in that stretch, the third-best mark in the world, trailing only Scottie Scheffler (3.10) and Xander Schauffele (2.88). For as good as his driver is, I worry that his approach game gets exposed here. Yes, I’m picking nits. But I think we have to do that at the top of the board. While Scheffler (0.92), Rahm (0.45), Schauffele (0.49) and McIlroy (0.28) have all gained strokes around the green since strokes gained data has been available at Augusta National, DeChambeau has lost 0.2 strokes per round on average. The other four golfers listed all have a scrambling rate of 62 percent or greater, led by Scheffler’s 68.5 percent, while Bryson’s posted a below-field-average 56.2 percent.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Collin Morikawa (35-1, Bet365) — The range data at the Masters is telling. Morikawa has only hit driver 280 yards so far this week. He's not going after it—obviously concerned still with the back. That's a big concern.
Powers, Golf Digest: Collin Morikawa (35-1, Bet365) — I’m with Andy. Just too concerned with the back stuff and the consecutive WDs. It’s a real shame for Morikawa, who was returning to his major-championship winning form and has now been bitten by the injury bug.
Lack: Collin Morikawa (35-1, Bet365) — There are enough lingering injury concerns with Collin Morikawa for me to stay away in this spot. The two-time major winner withdrew from the Valero Texas Open and had some questionable quotes yesterday on the state of his game. I’m not suggesting that he is a risk to withdraw, but I would be very surprised if he is the last man standing on Sunday.
Masters picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Gary Woodland (+105) over Keegan Bradley (Coolbet) — I really hope Keegan isn’t the veteran with no form who pops out of the blue at the Masters. It happens to someone every year. If it’s not, he’s a prime missed-cut candidate. He’s finished inside the top 40 just once in seven starts (T-29 Pebble Beach) whereas Woodland comes in hot off a win and a T-14 in his past two starts. More of a play against Keegan than on Woodland at better than even odds.
Stewart: Jake Knapp (+100) over Patrick Cantlay (FanDuel) — I love finding head-to-head bets with positive odds. Jake Knapp is leading the PGA Tour in scoring average and strokes gained total. Patrick Cantlay has one top 10 in seven starts, while Knapp has five top 10s in seven starts! Make your Masters betting card simple, take the player who is consistently proving himself week after week in 2026.
Noonan: Cameron Young (-108) over Hideki Matsuyama (Pinaccle) — The range of potential outcomes with Matsuyama feels wider than with most other top-20 golfers. I’m not looking to fade Matsuyama as much as I’m just very interested in backing Cameron Young. Young had an exceptional end to the 2025 season, building off of his win at Sedgefield with excellent showings at all three playoff events. He was one of the U.S.’s bright spots at Bethpage, and he seems to have found another level this season, with three straight ball-striking clinics at Riviera (T-7), Bay Hill (T-3) and Sawgrass (first). His game was lost last season, so I’m not concerned about his 2025 missed cut, considering he banked back-to-back T-10s here in 2023 and 2024.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Jake Knapp (+100) over Patrick Cantlay (FanDuel) — I’m tailing my guy Keith Stewart on this one. Knapp has been the best player in the world on strokes gained this year and has previous Augusta National experience. His all-around game is clicking, and he’s got a big power advantage over Cantlay.
Powers, Golf Digest: Ryan Gerard (-120) over Nick Taylor (DraftKings) — Taylor hasn’t exactly lit it up at Augusta in his three previous trips, and he has just one top-20 finish on tour this year. Gerard, meanwhile, is 25th in SG/tee-to-green on tour and 12th in approach, which has resulted in three finishes of T-11 or better in 2026. This is his Masters debut, but he picked up some nice major championship experience at Quail Hollow at last year’s PGA, where he finished T-8.
Lack: Nicolai Hojgaard (-130) over Sepp Straka (Southpoint) — Here is a matchup between two players with questionable short games, but Nicolai Hojgaard’s ball-striking has been far superior. Hojgaard also made a nice run in the 2024 Masters before faltering over the weekend and has a large distance advantage over Straka, too.
Matchup Results from the Valero Texas Open: Powers: 1 for 1 (Yellamaraju (-115) over Penge); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Wallace (-118) over McCarty); Stewart: PUSH (Straka (-112) over Thorbjornsen); Lack: 0 for 1; Mayo: 0 for 1; Noonan: 0 for 1
Matchup Results from the 2026 season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Powers: 9-3-0 (up 5.08 units); Stewart: 7-2-2 (up 4.17 units); Lack: 7-4-1 (up 1.76 units); Mayo: 6-6-0 (up 0.31 units); Noonan: 6-5-1 (down 0.13 units); Hennessey: 5-7-0 (down 2.6 units)
Masters picks 2026: Top 10s
Mayo: Tommy Fleetwood (+200, Bet365) — Betting on Tommy to win any tournament, let alone the Masters, seems insane, but here we are. He’s played five PGA Tour events in 2026 and finished top 10 in four of them. He’s currently fourth tee-to-green, including leading at the Players, but just hasn’t rolled it well at all. He’s lost on the greens in three straight; on the heels of gaining with his putter in 10 of 11 starts. While it’s no certainty his putting prowess returns specifically this week, Fleetwood’s five-year ascent on the PGA Tour indicates he’s quite good with the flat stick. He’s even gained on these Augusta greens three of the past four years. So, if he can continue his elite play tee-to-green and flip his putter back to normal levels, Tommy Lad is plenty live in a year in flux at the top of the board.
Stewart: Patrick Reed (+365, FanDuel) — In six starts this season, Patrick Reed has four top 10s and two wins! Third place last year at Augusta National, Reed also has four top 10s in his past six Masters starts. Patrick is always quite confident, but after being in the press center for his press conference on Monday, he convinced me he could win. Take the 10 places and a winning ticket on Sunday.
Noonan: Xander Schauffele (+150, FanDuel) — Only Scottie Scheffler has gained more strokes tee-to-green on average at Augusta National over the past few years than Xander Schauffele. He’s finished inside the top ten in six of the past seven Masters. Although he hasn’t won in 2026, his play has been extremely encouraging. A T-7 finish at Riviera and T-24 at Bay Hill were followed by two legit chances to win, at both The Players (third) and Valspar (T-4). Schauffele’s ball-striking in 2026 is all the way back, and his game is firing on all cylinders. It feels like a ‘when’ more than an ‘if’ for Schauffele’s green jacket. 20-1 is more than a fair enough price to see if this is the year, especially with question marks ahead of him on the odds board. But as a top-10 bet, he’s about as safe as anyone can be.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Harris English (+650, FanDuel) — I’ll back this absolute dog in the placement market, too. The firm-and-fast conditions suit his U.S. Open-type game even better than last year, when he finished T-12.
Powers, Golf Digest: Robert MacIntyre (+295, DraftKings) — Bob Mac didn’t win Sunday at Valero, but he once again solidified his DAWG status. With his C- game, he still managed to give himself a chance on the final hole. In the last three major golf tournaments on the schedule—U.S. Open at Oakmont, British Open at Royal Portrush, the Players at TPC Sawgrass—MacIntyre has gone solo second, T-7 and solo fourth. A real big-game hunter.
Lack: Xander Schauffele (+170, DraftKings) — Outside of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele may be the safest top-10 bet in the field, so I am happy to grab him here at plus money. Schauffele possesses no glaring holes in his game, and he has a remarkable history at the Masters, with five top-10 finishes in eight appearances.
Top-10 results from the Valero Texas Open: Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Ryo Hisatsune +470); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Si Woo Kim +250); Everybody else: 0 for 1
Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Mayo: 5 for 12 (up 14.15 units); Stewart: 4 for 12 (up 3.85 units); Noonan: 3 for 12 (up 2.6 units); Powers: 2 for 12 (down 3.5 units); Lack: 1 for 12 (down 5 units); Hennessey: 1 for 12 (down 6.3 units)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.
Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry's best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan.
Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.