Scottie Scheffler Aims For Second Straight Masters Victory

Scheffler, who clinched his second Masters title last year by finishing four strokes ahead of Ludvig Åberg, enters this year’s tournament as a heavy favorite, boasting odds of +490 (risk $100 to win $490). Despite a slow start in the 2025 season, where he has yet to land a victory in his first four outings, the No. 1-ranked player in the world remains confident about his chances.

Nipping at Scheffler’s heels are some of the biggest names in professional golf, including Rory McIlroy, who has been given a +600 line, and Jon Rahm at +1500. Alongside them, golfers like Collin Morikawa (+1700) and Bryson DeChambeau (+1700) are also in the mix. Notably, for the first time this tournament, Adam Scott is a longshot at 130-1, having previously won the Masters in 2013.

However, Tiger Woods, whose odds stand at a whopping 140-1, is unlikely to compete following a recent surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. This absence leaves many to wonder how it will alter the tournament’s landscape.

Patrick McDonald, a golf insider who writes for CBS Sports, has focused his predictions on Sepp Straka, who he believes offers significant value at 80-1 (risk $100 to win $8,000). Straka has shown incredible promise in the early part of the 2025 season, showcasing his skills with strong finishes, including a victory at The American Express and impressive placements in other tournaments.

“Straka ranks in the top 10 in the world in driving accuracy and iron play so far in 2025,” McDonald noted. “This combination led him to a T-16 finish at the Masters last season.” His consistent performance places him in a favorable position as the tournament nears.

Straka’s rise is backed by solid statistics; during early March, he ranked second in greens in regulation percentage (76.50%) and 11th in strokes gained: approach to green (0.867). These metrics have positioned him as a golfer with a genuine shot at clinching the coveted green jacket, especially since he has never missed a cut at Augusta.

The predictive model used by SportsLine has simulated the tournament 10,000 times and reveals additional insights on other notable contenders. Among those included are Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. The model suggests that McIlroy, despite being a four-time major champion, could struggle to crack the top five. His recent history at Augusta includes missing the cut in two of his past four appearances, with a mere T22 finish last year.

“McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014,” noted McDonald, emphasizing the urgency for the golfer to seize opportunities. Victory at Augusta would further cement his legacy, allowing him to join an exclusive club of golfers who have achieved a career grand slam.

DeChambeau, on the other hand, has turned heads with his polarizing views on the game, controversially labeling Augusta as a “par 67.” His performance in 2024, which included a T6 finish, reassures that he is finding his footing at this iconic course.