The most iconic tournament in golf returns this week, as the 2025 Masters Tournament tees off at Augusta National Golf Club. The best field in professional golf, with the best players, ascends upon Augusta, Georgia.
While this tournament can be one of the hardest for fans to get their hands on tickets, it is believed around 40,000-50,000 fans will pass through the gates Thursday through Sunday.
Steeped in tradition and pressure, this year’s edition brings no shortage of intrigue. The world’s number 1 golfer sets his eyes on his 3rd green jacket in four years, the LIV players return to the tour, and even Phil Mickelson is looking ready to go!
Augusta National, measures 7,555 yards with a par of 72. It may be best known for its “bomber” like paradise for the big hitters. Augusta National has the widest fairways on tour, averaging the 11th highest driving distance, sits 13th in strokes-gained off the tee difficulty, and the big one is missing the fairway penalty as it sits at 11th highest on tour.
Driving is by far one of the easiest things for the professionals to do at this course. From the second shot on is where players will begin to separate themselves, and the course will bite back! Greens in regulation rank 4th lowest on tour and strokes-gained approach is the second toughest on tour. Players that can land in good spots on the fairway, and avoid the edges will be in much better position for the second shot.
As the players approach these greens, they have an even tougher task around these greens. Getting up and down from the fairway is the toughest on your, and strokes-gained around the green is the toughest on tour. If the players happen to get onto the greens safely, the job gets even harder!
Strokes-gained putting on these surfaces is the toughest on tour. Players that can find success lag putting, leaving themselves with good opportunities can avoid the bogeys and find more pars and birdies. Players that typically do well end up taking advantage of the Par 5 scoring and avoiding bogeys.
The weather forecast for Augusta during the tournament is not expected to impact play too much. Monday’s practice round is closed to patrons due to heavy rainfall all day.
As we roll into Thursday, April 10, we will see increasing cloud cover, with warmer conditions. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are expected to be under 70 degrees, with Saturday and Sunday being the coldest following possible showers on Friday. Even though the weather is projected to be slightly cooler, it is projected that there will be plenty of sunshine on the weekend!
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters the week finishing inside the Top 25 in all 6 events this year, with 3 Top 10 finishes. He will be vying to capture back-to-back Masters championships, and his 3rd in 4 years! Right behind him in the odds is Rory McIlroy, who is once again chasing the elusive career Grand Slam.
Rory has been chasing the Grand Slam since 2014, he finished 2nd in 2022, and this could be the year he breaks through! Rory has been the number 1 player on tour this season with two 1st place finishes, and is coming off a T5 at the Houston Open.
Also in the spotlight is Xander Schauffele, who continues to knock on the door at majors. Xander has a chance to complete his own Grand Slam this year if things roll right for him. He has already captured the PGA and the Open last season, while finishing T2 at the Masters and T3 at the US Open in 2019. He should be on everyone's card to win this thing, though he has not been in peak form to start 2025.
Viktor Hovland, fresh off a win at the Valspar Championship, enters in his best form in 2025, after starting off struggling mightily. He has finished in the top 10 in 3 of the majors, and if he is locked in, he has as good of a chance as anyone! We also have to drop Bryson DeChambeau’s name, while Bryson’s history here is not good, he did finish T6 last season and has been locked in all year on LIV.
While most casual fans will be watching for the big names, there is a nice mix of veterans and streaking players to watch out for. Cameron Smith leads my list and has been a familiar face on Augusta National leaderboards. Cameron has results of T6, T34, 3rd, T10, and 2nd in his last five appearances. His short game is tailor-made for Augusta, and he has the confidence to handle the big moments.
Tommy Fleetwood has been one of the most consistent players on tour in 2025! This could be the year he finally puts it all together! With recent finishes of T3, 33rd, 14th, T46, and T19, Fleetwood is trending in the right direction and seems poised for a breakthrough.
I would be remiss if I did not mention these last two players, Sepp Straka, who has been on a tear to start his 2025 campaign, deserves some attention. He had finishes of 30, 46, and T16 last year, and with his current form, could crack the Top 10 this time around.
Finally, Will Zalatoris, who’s already delivered finishes of 2nd, 6th, and T9 in his first three appearances at Augusta. His iron play is among the best in the world, and he has 4 Top 30 finishes in his last 6 events!