The 2026 Masters
2026 is about to turn four months old and has already produced some wonderful golf action coming from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. April, therefore, signals the start of majors’ tournaments, with the Masters teeing off on the 9th and finishing on the 12th of April. The Masters is the most well known golfing tournament in the world. It is played at one of golf’s most iconic venues, namely the Augusta National Golf Club.
The 2026 Masters edition promises to be something special, as the tournament celebrates its 90th edition. The first tournament took place in 1932 and, notably, has always been played in April and at the same course every year. The Masters is a par 72 course and fields between 90 to a 100 players. It is furthermore by invitation only. Gary Player, importantly, was the first non American to win the tournament.
The Traditions of the Masters
The Green Jacket is an iconic tradition that, indeed, makes the Masters stand out from any other golf tournament. Only the Masters winner receives the Green Jacket, which signifies club membership and, additionally, identifies past champions. Every past winner also receives a lifetime invitation to play at the Masters. They also, in addition, receive special access to practice at the course in the weeks leading up to the event. Since 1952, Green Jacket holders have attended the Champions Dinner on the Tuesday before the tournament. Only the first time or current winner, however, may take the Green Jacket off club grounds. It must be returned within a year to a special cloakroom.
Players to watch at the Masters
It’s LIV Golf vs PGA Tour!
Pundits acknowledge the Masters’ unpredictability but, nevertheless, suggest these players could win this year’s championship. The Major’s are the one event where golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf compete against each other. The PGA Tour has been the main driver in golf for years, meanwhile LIV Golf entered the golf market in 2022. The talk around the water cooler is that players from both camps are, therefore, in contention to win this year.
PGA Tour Players
Current Green Jacket holder and defending champion Rory McIlroy must, certainly, be one of the favourites to win this year. He is one of the few golfers that can claim to have won all four majors. Defending the masters is, however, a tough challenge. He is currently second in the PGA Tour.
Scottie Scheffle will be making his seventh appearance at the Masters. He has, notably, won the title in 2022 and 2024. He is one of the masters in golf and is, currently, number one ranked in the world. Many pundits and bookmakers have, therefore, Scottie, who plays in the PGA Tour, as the golfer to beat this year.
Hideki Matsuyama was the first Japanese golfer to win the Masters in 2021. He currently holds the 14th spot in the world rankings, therefor making him a great player to back with your bets.
LIV Golf Players
LIV Golf player Jon Rahm won the masters golf tournament in 2023. He is the number one on the LIV Golf ranking and, additionally, ranks 28th in the official world rankings. Jon comes off of a great start to the 2026, having, moreover, won in Hong Kong. He come second in South Africa recently.
American Bryson DeChambeau, and two time US Open winner, will be playing in his tenth Masters this year. The LIV Golf player tied for fifth in 2025 and, consequently, offers good odds as a solid bet.
Organisers have not yet ruled out golfing legend Tiger Woods from this year’s competition. Tiger is, of course, always a threat due to experience of the course. But, ultimately, fitness will determine if he will be competing.
Betting on the 2026 Masters
As the excitement builds for the 2026 Masters, choosing the right betting site can make all the difference. Betting on the Masters can be tricky but, overall, any of those players listed above would make fine bets to win. The odds on us masters golf is, meanwhile, available on top gold betting sites that we have reviewed. Casey Jarvis and Aldrich Potgieter are the two players representing South Africa and, importantly, it is always lekker to back a local at the Masters and stick to your local betting sites such as betway, Mzansibet, Hollywoodbets and our recommendations below:
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FAQ
Heading into the 2026 Masters, several elite players continue to dominate the betting markets. Most notably, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm remain firm favourites due to their consistent performances at Augusta National Golf Club. In addition, their strong recent form and previous major success make them reliable picks.
While the favourites dominate the spotlight, sleeper picks often create real betting value. In particular, players with strong approach play and confident putting tend to thrive at Augusta. Furthermore, golfers who have previously finished inside the top 20 can easily build momentum. Therefore, punters should look beyond the obvious names and consider in-form outsiders who could deliver a surprise performance.
Augusta National Golf Club presents a unique and demanding challenge for every golfer. For instance, its undulating greens and tricky pin positions require exceptional precision and control. At the same time, holes like Amen Corner test both strategy and mental strength.
Typically, players who perform well in the weeks leading up to the tournament arrive with confidence and rhythm. Moreover, consistent finishes on the PGA Tour highlight a player’s ability to handle pressure. Because of this, punters should always assess recent performances before placing their bets.
When it comes to betting on the Masters, a balanced strategy often delivers the best results. For example, combining outright winner bets with each-way and top-10 markets can spread risk effectively. In addition, live betting opportunities allow punters to react to changing conditions throughout the tournament.