Masters 2025: Scheffler’s Repeat Attempt, McIlroy’s Pursuit, and More

The 89th Masters Tournament is just around the corner. The big questions are: Can anyone stop Scottie Scheffler? Which golfers from the LIV tour might contend for the coveted green jacket this week? And are there any first-time players who could surprise?

From prominent players to newcomers and potential dark horses, here are five key storylines to follow this week at Augusta.

Spotlight on the Top Contenders

Mark Schlabach: All eyes will be on the world`s top two players: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. A head-to-head battle between Scheffler and McIlroy on Sunday at Augusta National would be thrilling for a sport that has been dominated by financial and organizational issues recently.

Scheffler has been the dominant force in men`s golf for much of the last three years. He`s aiming to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win the Masters three times in a four-year period. He also has the chance to become only the fourth golfer to win consecutive Masters titles, following Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.

Despite missing the first month of the season due to a hand injury and not yet securing a win in 2025, Scheffler`s Augusta National record speaks for itself. While McIlroy has two tour wins this season and is playing exceptionally well, Scheffler`s ability to perform under pressure at Augusta is undeniable.

McIlroy is making his 11th attempt to win a green jacket and complete the career Grand Slam, which would also end his major championship drought spanning over a decade.

Paolo Uggetti: Much has been discussed about Scheffler and McIlroy leading into this season, and rightly so. However, as we head into the first major of the year, the unpredictable element draws me to two LIV Golf players who should be considered among the favorites: Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

Rahm is a past Masters champion, winning in 2023, and DeChambeau won his second major at the U.S. Open last year, along with two other top-6 finishes in majors. On paper, their credentials are strong. However, after three years of LIV Golf, it remains uncertain how consistently players can transition their form to major championships. DeChambeau demonstrated last year that he can still contend and win majors, but his last LIV victory was in September 2023.

What does this mean for their Masters chances? It`s hard to say definitively, but it makes every shot from DeChambeau and Rahm compelling to watch. Rahm`s worst finish on LIV this season is a tie for ninth, and despite missing the cut at a non-LIV event in January, his overall game seems to be improving.

First-Timers to Watch

Schlabach: Thomas Detry is an interesting first-timer. He secured his first PGA Tour win at the WM Phoenix Open in February. He also had strong major finishes last year, tying for fourth at the PGA Championship and 14th at the U.S. Open.

While Detry is a good putter, his iron play has been inconsistent, and it`s questionable whether he`ll be accurate enough off the tee to contend at Augusta National.

Aaron Rai from England is another player to watch. He has recent major success, including a tie for 19th at the 2021 Open Championship and last year`s U.S. Open. Rai`s statistics are impressive across the board, and he`s entering the Masters in good form with several top-15 finishes in recent tournaments.

Uggetti: Maverick McNealy`s journey to the Masters has been a long one, finally arriving after winning the RSM Classic in November. He`s currently playing some of his best golf. McNealy has four top-10 finishes this season and was runner-up at the Genesis Invitational earlier this year.

McNealy`s strong putting and approach play should help him be competitive this week. If he can drive the ball reasonably well and improve his short game around the greens, Augusta National could be a good fit for his style of play.

Course Conditions and Hurricane Damage

Schlabach: The course was firm and fast leading up to the Masters, but heavy rain on Monday changed conditions.

However, there`s ample time for the course to dry out before Thursday`s first round. Augusta National`s advanced SubAir system is likely working to remove excess water. The weather forecast for the week is mostly dry with moderate temperatures.

Hurricane Helene, which hit the area in September 2024, caused significant damage at Augusta National. The removal of trees on the 1st and 9th holes is noticeable, mainly affecting the visual experience for returning patrons, but likely not player strategy. The 16th green had to be rebuilt due to a fallen tree, and the greens on the 1st, 8th, and 15th holes were also renovated.

Uggetti: Xander Schauffele noticed the missing trees, especially on the 16th hole.

Schauffele described the changes as making the back nine feel almost new. The missing trees, which previously served as aiming points, are significant, but he doesn`t expect the course to play drastically differently.

Schauffele believes the course will play similarly to previous years, despite the altered landscape. Players may need to adjust their aiming points, using new references like bridges.

McIlroy echoed Schauffele`s observations, noting that some tee shots appear less visually intimidating due to the missing trees. However, overall, he believes the course remains largely unchanged in terms of playability.

LIV Golfers` Performance Expectations

Schlabach: With twelve LIV players in the field, it`s plausible that two or three could finish in the top 10. However, predicting who those players will be is challenging due to inconsistent performances in 2025. A recent LIV tournament in Miami revealed some struggles for top players on a challenging course.

DeChambeau was still adjusting his game leading into Miami and finished fifth. Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, tied for ninth. Cameron Smith and Patrick Reed have strong Augusta records and could contend for a top 10 again.

Uggetti: LIV Golf performances are hard to predict. While players like Brooks Koepka haven`t been prominent this year, they could still perform well at a major. The same applies to Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, and Cameron Smith, whose games suit Augusta National.

One LIV player to watch closely is Joaquín Niemann. He has two LIV wins this season and a victory at the Saudi International, performing like a top-10 player. Despite his undeniable talent, Niemann lacks a top-10 finish in 22 major appearances. Given his current form, this Masters could be his best opportunity yet for a strong major finish.

Under-the-Radar Player to Watch

Schlabach: Russell Henley, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, isn`t getting much attention despite his consistent high level of play. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and has multiple top-10 finishes this season.

Henley excels in fairway accuracy and approach shots, critical at Augusta. He ranks high in greens in regulation and driving accuracy, and is a strong putter.

Henley has improved his major championship record in recent years, with several top-15 finishes, including a tie for fourth at the 2023 Masters. Growing up in Georgia and attending the University of Georgia, winning the Masters would be a dream come true for him.

Uggetti: Collin Morikawa, ranked No. 4 in the world, seems to be flying under the radar. Despite not winning since 2023, he`s been consistently close to the top and leads in strokes gained on approach shots.

Morikawa contended at last year`s Masters but faded on Sunday. This year, his game is arguably stronger, especially his putting. Like McIlroy, he has significant motivation to break his winless streak. Don`t be surprised to see him in contention on Sunday.

For a longer shot, consider Akshay Bhatia. After his Masters debut last year, Bhatia is now a top-25 player. If his putting is strong this week, he could have a very good tournament.