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2026 Masters Picks & Predictions: Rory McIlroy

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The best golfers in the world will be in Augusta, Georgia, this week for the first major of the year, The Masters. We’re going to share our top 2026 Masters picks and predictions.

Augusta National Golf Club is simultaneously a feast for the eyes and a stern test of golfing acumen. The Georgia pines and blooming azaleas highlight Augusta's beauty, but this world-renowned course demands precise ballstriking and short-game excellence.

Rory McIlroy had an epic victory at last year's Masters to earn his first Green Jacket. Can he successfully defend his title, or will the No. 1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, win at Augusta for the third time in five years? PGA Tour stars Ludvig Aberg and Xander Schauffele are looking for a career-altering victory, and big-hitting LIV Tour stalwarts Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau will be in the hunt.

Welcome to the fifth annual BettingPros Guide to The Masters. We'll take a deep dive into the field, taking a closer look at the players contending for the coveted Green Jacket. Which players provide betting value and which are bad bets? Read on.

2026 Masters Picks & Predictions: Rory McIlroy

Stats to Know

  • Odds to Win: +1025
  • World Ranking: 2
  • Best Masters finish: 1 (2025)
  • Last four Masters finishes: 2, MC, 22, 1
  • Last four tournament finishes: 14, 2, WD, 46

Course History

Early in McIlroy’s career, it seemed only a matter of time before he collected his first Green Jacket, and it appeared inevitable there would be more than one. In 2011, when he was 21, McIlroy took a four-shot lead into the final round, then shot 80 on Sunday, with a 43 on the back nine. McIlroy strung together five straight top-10 finishes at Augusta from 2014 to 2018. He finished fifth in 2022, and a final-round 64 delivered a second-place finish in 2022, but that first Masters victory continued to elude Rory. In 2025, McIlroy’s time finally arrived. A third-round 66 gave McIlroy a two-shot lead going into the final round. Once again, Rory ran into trouble on the back nine, with a double bogey on No. 13 and a bogey on No. 14. But a memorable 7-iron approach on No. 15 set up McRoy for a birdie, and he finished his round tied with the hard-charging Justin Rose. On the first playoff hole, McIlroy hit his approach on No. 18 to 4 feet. After Rose missed a 10-footer for birdie, McIlory rolled in his short birdie putt for the long-awaited victory. Although he’s built up a lot of scar tissue at Augusta over the years, Rory is certainly capable of going back-to-back if everything clicks for him.

Recent Form

McIlroy finished second at the Genesis Invitational in February, one shot behind winner Jacob Bridgeman. But Rory hasn’t done much since. He was four under par after two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational but withdrew ahead of the third round due to back spasms. He returned for the Players Championship the following week and finished 46th. McIlroy’s ballstring has been fine. He ranks second in strokes gained off the tee and 10th in his strokes gained on approach. It’s his putter that has been icy. He ranks 104th in strokes gained putting.

Check out all of our Masters golfer profiles and full betting guide >>

2026 Masters Outlook & Predictions

Now that McIlroy has finally won The Masters and is no longer burdened by the weight of expectations, perhaps he’ll be confident and loose when he steps to the first tee on Thursday. It would be be easier to feel good about McIlroy’s chances if he had been in contention in either of the two Florida events he played, but McIlroy is certainly capable of flipping the switch and bringing his A-game to Augusta.

Betting Outlook: 2026 Masters Picks

I’m not interested in betting McIlroy for a top five or top 10; it’s outright or nothing. Given McIlroy’s sluggish start this season, I’m inclined to pass on him unless his odds drift to 11-1 or longer — which seems unlikely considering that he’s the defending champ and has one of the most recognizable name brands in the sport.

More Individual Golfer Previews, 2026 Masters Picks & Predictions

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