As we approach Augusta once again, the question remains: Is this finally the year Rory McIlroy secures his elusive green jacket? Back in October 2023, prior to the season’s start, we correctly predicted Scottie Scheffler’s dominant Masters win. Now, as we enter the third Masters since the inception of the LIV Tour, the divide between PGA and LIV players continues to shape the tournament’s narrative. Despite concerns about competition levels on the LIV circuit, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson proved in year one that they could still contend, both finishing in the top five.
Course history remains a critical factor at Augusta. While there have been rare instances of first-time winners like Jordan Spieth’s dominant debut in 2015, experience continues to reign supreme. Jack Nicklaus’ T6 finish at age 57, along with Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer’s continued success into their 50s and 60s, highlights how familiarity with Augusta’s unique challenges often outweighs recent form.
Weather conditions always play a role, but history suggests that long hitters, particularly left-handed ones, maintain an edge. Augusta National’s iconic 13th hole, Azalea, continues to be a make-or-break moment, favoring players with the power and creativity to attack it aggressively. Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson showcased this advantage in their victories, and the hole remains a pivotal battleground.
Looking ahead to this year’s field, we once again stress the importance of course history when evaluating contenders. The correlation with course history as one would expect is the greatest on tour. Betting solely on current form can be misleading at Augusta. Here are our updated course history insights and power rankings for the 2025 Masters. While new stars continue to rise, the history and unique nature of Augusta demand respect. Will this be the year Rory finally completes his career Grand Slam? Or will another seasoned veteran, or perhaps an unexpected contender, steal the show?
