As the Masters Tournament draws near, all eyes are firmly set on Scottie Scheffler, who’s on a mission to defend his title at the prestigious Augusta National. Scheffler’s performance in the build-up to the Masters has been mixed, with an underwhelming T20 finish at the Players Championship, largely due to putting woes. Yet, the two-time Masters champion (2022 and 2024) is still considered a formidable threat on the green.
Hot on Scheffler’s heels is Rory McIlroy, the most recent PGA Tour champion, who rose to victory at the Players Championship. Despite being a four-time major winner, McIlroy has yet to claim the Masters, the only major championship missing from his impressive résumé. Currently, these two titans hold the first and second positions in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Renowned Golf Channel contributor Ron Sirak has tagged Scheffler and McIlroy as the likely frontrunners for the 2025 Masters. But, he’s not overlooking LIV Golf’s dynamic duo, Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann. “Scottie and Rory are the obvious choices,” Sirak noted during a Golf Channel segment, “They’re unequivocally 1 and 1A. But, I’m keeping an eye on Ludvig Aberg for a potential breakthrough win this year.”
Sirak also addressed the uncertain performance of Collin Morikawa, noting the golfer seems to be grappling with some issues on the course. Despite this, he acknowledged the wealth of talent lining up for the Masters.
For those looking to bet on the underdogs, Sirak suggested keeping an eye on Min Woo Lee and Tom Kim. “If you’re looking for some dark horses, Min Woo Lee and Tom Kim would be fascinating winners. They’re great to watch and bring a lot of energy to the game.”
Rahm, a previous Masters champion from 2023, and Niemann, the current leader in the LIV Golf individual standings, are both in excellent form heading into the Masters. Niemann, in particular, has had a spectacular start to 2025, with two PGA Tour wins already under his belt, matching McIlroy’s record.
Meanwhile, the ‘long shots’, Min Woo Lee and Tom Kim, are making their own waves on the PGA Tour. Despite not having a win to his name, Woo Lee has shown glimpses of brilliance, although a disappointing performance at the Players Championship has raised questions about his experience and pressure handling. On the other hand, Kim, a three-time PGA Tour champion, has had a steady season, making five cuts.
As the Masters gears up, the golfing world is set for a thrilling showdown, with seasoned champions, emerging stars, and dark horses all vying for the coveted green jacket.
