Jon Rahm enters as the favourite for golf’s most unpredictable Masters in years, ahead of Scheffler and defending champion McIlroy.
The 2026 Masters Tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive fields Augusta National has seen in recent memory, with 91 players set to tee off Thursday in what promises to be an unpredictable week at golf’s most prestigious major.
According to Golf Channel’s power rankings, Jon Rahm enters as the top contender for the Green Jacket. The LIV Golf standout has an impressive record in his recent form, losing to only seven players combined across his last five starts on the Saudi-backed circuit. His skill profile appears to be hitting peak levels heading into Augusta.
The Contenders Take Shape
Just behind Rahm, Ludvig Åberg slots in at number two on the power rankings. The Swedish star arrives in Georgia with momentum, having posted three consecutive top-five finishes on the PGA Tour. Most notably, Åberg finished tied second at the Valero Texas Open, the final major preparation event before Augusta.
Scottie Scheffler comes in at number three despite an unconventional preparation. The world’s top-ranked player will be competing just nine days after the birth of his son Remy, having missed two weeks of competition. Scheffler’s absence from recent tournaments makes him an intriguing wildcard heading into the year’s first major.
The depth of the field is underscored by the placement of defending champion Rory McIlroy at number eight. McIlroy would become only the fourth player ever to successfully defend the Masters title, joining an elite group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo. His positioning further illustrates just how wide-open this year’s competition figures to be.
Dark Horses and International Stars
Bryson DeChambeau, ranked seventh, brings genuine momentum after claiming back-to-back victories on LIV Golf. His recent form and length off the tee represent a consistent threat at Augusta National.
The diversity of the 91-player field reflects the current state of professional golf, with talent spread across multiple tours and varying preparation schedules. This fragmentation of form and preparation, rather than a clear hierarchy, is precisely what makes this Masters so wide-open heading into Thursday’s opening round.
As the tournament approaches, the question remains not who will win, but rather which contender’s form and mental preparation will peak at exactly the right moment on golf’s most demanding stage.
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