Augusta Awaits: Top Golfers Poised to Shine at the 2025 Masters

5 min read
Mar 28, 2025, 4:29 AM
Scottie Scheffler is awarded the Green Jacket by 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm after Scheffler won the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta

Scottie Scheffler is awarded the Green Jacket by 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm after Scheffler won the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

The world’s greatest golfers will descend upon Augusta National to battle for the famous green jacket at the Masters on Thursday, April 10.

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are currently battling it out as favorites to land the spoils, and what a sight it would be were the pair to go head-to-head on the back nine on Sunday.

This is the only major that takes place at the same venue each year, which makes it easier to spot course form trends.

With that in mind, RG delved into the form books to find golfers who have consistently flourished at Augusta and could be primed to contend again.

Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler has rapidly risen through the ranks to become the best golfer in the world in the past three years. His golfing dominance is further evidenced by his eight tournament victories in 2024, including an Olympic gold medal.

Scheffler’s Masters record speaks for itself, as he got to grips with the course pretty quickly, finishing inside the top 20 in his first two appearances at Augusta.

He secured his first green jacket in 2022 and followed that up with a top-10 finish in 2023.

Scottie regained his Masters crown with a four-shot victory over Sweden’s rising star Ludvig Åberg last year, and the Lone Star State man is the one to beat again as the 2025 renewal draws ever closer.

Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa is no stranger to success when it comes to major championships, having claimed the PGA Championship in 2020 and the Open Championship in 2021.

Morikawa failed to get into the mix in his first two appearances at the Masters, but things have changed in recent years as he has become more familiar with what it takes to contend around Augusta.

The two-time major champion is arguably one of the best iron players on tour, and his 2025 season has got off to a great start with multiple top-10 finishes. The 28-year-old has finished inside the top 10 in his last three efforts at Augusta, and he has shown all the right credentials to suggest now could be his time to land his first green jacket.

Cameron Smith

It’s fair to say that Cameron Smith has not set the world alight since joining the LIV Golf Tour, but he still remains a threat in the majors, as seen by his Open Championship triumph in 2022. Despite never winning a green jacket, the Australian’s record at Augusta is ultra-consistent, as he always seems to get into contention year after year.

In Smith’s past seven visits to Augusta, he has finished inside the top 10 five times, which is an incredible feat, and he is one of the most reliable Augusta contenders in the field. Smith hasn’t been in the best of form on the LIV circuit this year, but he is more than capable of turning it on for the majors. It would be no surprise if he’s hovering near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday again.

Will Zalatoris

Will Zalatoris burst onto the scene when he finished 6th at the U.S. Open in 2020, which was his first appearance at a major championship. He then finished runner-up at the Masters in 2021, just one stroke behind champion Hideki Matsuyama.

Zalatoris finished 6th at the Masters in 2022 and 9th in 2024, so he clearly relishes the conditions at Augusta, and his ball-striking and tee-to-green play are unrivaled. Putting has let him down in the past, but if he fixes that sole weakness, the 28-year-old American could contend again.

He has finished in the top 10 in seven of his 13 appearances at the majors, and that level of consistency should stand him in good stead.

Cian Kirby
Cian Kirby
Sports Reporter

Working in the sports betting industry is familiar territory to Cian having previously worked for leading betting exchanges Betfair and Matchbook. Cian worked as a production editor/writer in Gambling.com's content team and despite moving to Australia recently he still contributes heavily to the team by providing freelance writing. The Irish native likes to think outside the box when it comes to betting and his main sporting interests include Golf, Horse Racing, Soccer, Tennis, and Darts.

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Brendon R. Elliott
Brendon R. Elliott
Lead Golf Writer

Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.

Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.

Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.

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