Masters Picks and Plays
The 2025 Masters field is set, and so are my picks
The “A tradition unlike any other” phrase should be directed at my picks for how much they have sucked lately…... But, Masters week is no time to sulk. It’s a time to recharge and get back in the game. After all, this is the pinnacle of golf viewing, as Augusta National flaunts its $45 million annual landscape budget. There's no more visually stunning golf course to watch on TV. Let’s just hope my picks stay focused on the game, rather than getting distracted by the beauty.
Given its tradition and history, you'd think the 96 players in the field would be eager to claim victory at this prestigious tournament. Not only is it a major, but winning the coveted green jacket comes with a lifetime of perks. Let’s quickly break down the field by category:
PGA TOUR Players: 72
LIV Players: 12
Senior Past Champions: 6
Amateurs: 5
DP World Tour: 1
As you can see, a portion of the field will face significant challenges—not just in winning, but in competing—due to age (whether too old or too young). This narrows the pool of serious contenders to about 85, and even that might be a bit generous, as many players simply don’t stand a chance.
The nuances of this golf course require a certain cadence, and for those who figure out the blueprint, execution is key. No one executes their game plan better than the world’s #1, Scottie Scheffler. If I had to put my life savings on one player to win, it would be the guy who has won 2 of the last 3 years. The course is built for him. However, as much as I’d love to back Scheffler, his odds aren’t great, and as the favorite I’m looking elsewhere to make some noise.
Rory enters Georgia in some of the best form he's had in recent years, once again chasing the career Grand Slam—something he’s been pursuing for what feels like the 10,000th time. With his last major victory coming in 2014, it’s been over a decade, and he’s as hungry as ever. If not now, when? This feels like a make-or-break year for him. If he can’t get over the hurdle this time, perhaps the mental strain of it all will prove too difficult to overcome. Can we see an EPIC Rory performance? I can honestly say I’m pulling for it, but have my doubts.
LIV is back in the mix! It feels like ages since golf was one big, happy family. There are so many intriguing storylines: "Will Rahm remember how to perform in a major?" "Phil is playing quietly well—could we see him on the leaderboard?" "Will Bryson rediscover his ALPHA form and contend?" "Is Joaquin Niemann more than just a LIV golfer?" "Does Major Brooks have the game to get to #6?" The list goes on.
I’ll say this: I wouldn’t be surprised if a few LIV players make a serious push for the green jacket on Sunday.
SLEEPERS
Min Woo Lee (+4000)
Known for his flair, social presence, and the infamous “Dr. Chipinski,” “Let him cook,” and “Dr. Chef” persona – Min Woo Lee is starting to make a name for himself on the PGA Tour. After securing a one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland at the recent Houston Open, Lee has finally added a much-needed win to his resume. Now, with his game gaining recognition, he’s traveling to Augusta National Golf Club with a new sense of confidence and the mission to turn heads.
What’s surprising is just how strong his major resume is. In the Masters alone, he’s recorded finishes of T-14, T-22, and a missed cut. He also boasts a T-5 finish at the U.S. Open, a T-18 at the PGA Championship, and a T-21 at The Open Championship.
With his recent win and consistent major performances, MLW is quietly building an impressive foundation. Heading to Augusta, he’s a player who could certainly make some noise.
Will Zalatoris (+5500)
Willy Z to the mooooooooooon? It’s been a relatively quiet year for him, with a brief stretch of relevance at The Players, but he hasn’t cracked a top 10 all season. That said, he’s still trending in the right direction. For one, he hasn’t missed a cut all year, so he’s definitely not playing poorly. Additionally, his ball striking is starting to resemble his past form. Ranked 20th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach, he’s been particularly solid from 175-200 yards, which could prove invaluable at Augusta with its length.
Speaking of Augusta, he has the blueprint. In his three appearances, he’s finished 2nd, T6, and T9. The Masters is quickly becoming one of his best tournaments, regardless of his form leading up to it. While his putting has been shaky at times, Augusta’s ultimate test is avoiding three-putts, and he’s done that remarkably well. He’s currently ranked 22nd in 3-putt avoidance. Look for Willy Z to utilize his wand and navigate the difficult Augusta National greens at a high level.
PICKS TO WIN
Xander Schauffele (+2000)
C’mon, we can’t sleep on X. Did we forget he’s currently holding two of the four major trophies? With a win this week, he could make it three! The guy can flat-out play, and this is the perfect moment to back him. While his 2025 season hasn’t been a standout by any means, he’s shown enough life to catch my attention. Finishing 12th at the Valspar might not be earth-shattering, but the fact that he absolutely DOMINATED the field in approach play suggests he’s closer to form than most people realize. If he can find some consistency off the tee and his sharp short game stays intact, I don’t see why he can’t walk away with the win.
When it comes to course history, he’s been a consistent presence, with the exception of a missed cut in 2022. His finishes—8th, 10th, missed cut, 3rd, 17th, 2nd, and 50th—show that he's always in the mix, but has never quite sealed the deal. However, last year he proved he can close, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays in contention for three rounds and then accelerates down the stretch to capture his first green jacket.
Bryson DeChambeau (+2000)
How quickly we forget. The man who defeated Rory at the U.S. Open and kicked off last year with the lowest round of his Masters career—a first-round 65—is back. He’s had individual round successes at this tournament, even dating back to his amateur days, but it’s the sustained play over 72 holes that has eluded him. To me, Bryson has truly "found himself" and seems more comfortable in his own skin than ever before, which is dangerous for the competition. Remember that par 67? His growth as a person has clearly translated into more maturity as a player, and his comments over the past year or so reflect that.
His play this year on LIV hasn’t exactly stood out. Currently sitting 15th in the season standings with just one top-5 finish, it's been a relatively quiet season for Bryson. However, that top 5 came just last weekend at LIV Miami, which could indicate he’s gearing up for a big week. While his Masters course history isn’t impressive—two missed cuts and several middle-of-the-pack finishes—last year he may have turned a corner with a T-6 finish. Something seemed to click for him, whether it was strategy or mental approach, and perhaps this year he’ll come in with a game plan that only someone with his scientific mindset can truly execute. Regardless, Bryson is sure to entertain us in one way or another (see picture above).
Enjoy the 2025 Masters everyone!