Masters
Masters 2025: Legends agree on their pick for this week's champion
The Honorary Starters pose for photos before their tee shots. (Stephen Denton)
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus likes Rory McIlroy’s chances this week to win his first green jacket and complete the career grand slam. In fact, he gave the world’s No. 2 player his stamp of approval after having lunch together last week at Nicklaus’ The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Fla.
“I said, ‘Rory, I know you prepared for Augusta; tell me how you're going to play the golf course.’ We went through it shot for shot,” Nicklaus said Thursday morning at Augusta National Golf Club. “He got done with the round, and I didn't open my mouth. And I said, ‘Well, I wouldn't change a thing. That's exactly the way I would try to play the golf course.’
“The discipline is what Rory has lacked in my opinion,” the Golden Bear continued. “He's got all the shots. He's got all the game. He certainly is as talented as anybody in the game. But if you look, go back and see his history the last few years, he gets to a place a lot of times, an 8 or a 7 pops up, and that keeps you from getting to where he needs to go.”
McIlroy is far from the first player to seek Nicklaus’ input on how to win the Masters. After he won the 2011 Masters, Charl Schwartzel expressly pointed to his conversation with the Golden Bear in the weeks prior to tournament as a huge factor in his success.
Jack Nicklaus gestures to the gallery after hitting his ceremonial tee shot at the 2025 Masters. (Stephen Denton)
Nicklaus, 85, wasn’t alone in thinking this could be McIlroy’s year. Three-time winner Gary Player and two-time Masters champion Tom Watson also conveyed their confidence in the four-time major winner. the trio convened again on the first tee at Augusta National on Thursday to hit ceremonial tee shots to begin the Masters at 7:25 a.m.
“I think Rory McIlroy will win the Masters this year, and I hope he does because it would give golf a great boost to have another winner of the Grand Slam,” said Player, 89. “He has the best swing in golf without a question. He's the fittest golfer. He does a dead lift of 400 pounds. I don't know if you're aware of what a dead lift is. Four hundred pounds. If you do 100 pounds, it's exceptional.
“He went to Jack for advice on how to play this golf course. Nobody knows better than Jack. And I think timing in life … he's had his adversities, his opportunities to win majors and let them slip. I think his time is right. I think it's just the right time for him to win now. does for Rory. The golf course—there's no golf course that suits a man better than it does Rory.”
Watson’s assessment was more concise. “I just have a gut feeling that Rory is the guy that's going to win this week. That's the bottom line. That's my gut feeling.”
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