2026 Masters Picks & Predictions: PGA Longshots
Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta National Golf Club to defend his epic major title win ahead of the 2026 Masters. McIlroy is the third betting favorite behind World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and 2023 champion, Jon Rahm, who are available at +500 and +950 in the outright winner betting market.
Every golfer in this field has a difficult task to accomplish. Navigating the undulations and fast-paced Bentgrass greens that comprise the layout at this iconic par 72 course. Length and accuracy are both important to win, while short-game finesse is just as crucial.
My 2026 Valero Texas Open: PGA Longshots didn’t yield a winner following our Gary Woodland victory at 80-1 during the Houston Open. Ricky Castillo didn’t wind up playing, while Max Homa missed the cut. Our best result was Austin Smotherman’s T36 finish, shooting 68 in two of four rounds at TPC San Antonio.
The Masters has seen betting favorites don the green jacket in four straight editions. Scheffler won in 2022 and 2024, Rahm won in 2023, and McIlroy delivered his clutch playoff win over Justin Rose last year. It’s time for a longshot golfer to make a run and contend at Augusta National, so let’s target three prospects at 80-1 or longer in the outright winner betting market. Here are my top 2026 Masters picks and longshot predictions.
Follow me on X at Matt_MacKay_ for more free bets and PGA Tour analysis throughout the 2026 PGA Tour season.
2026 Masters Picks & Predictions: PGA Longshots
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Jacob Bridgeman (+8600)
If you’ve been watching the PGA Tour in 2026, Jacob Bridgeman has likely been near the top of the leaderboard. The 26-year-old already won his first PGA Tour title at The Genesis Invitational against a Signature Event field. Now, he’s making his debut at Augusta National.
Only Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 won the Masters during his debut. It’s a tall order, but Bridgeman is equipped for the task, ranked second in total strokes gained in 2026, including 22nd in SG: Approach and leading the PGA Tour in SG: Putting.
Bridgeman boasts top-three marks in scoring average, par 4 scoring, and birdie average. It’s enough to warrant a 0.25 unit wager on 86-1 odds in the outright winner betting market this week.
Marco Penge (+14000)
Next up is another debutant, Marco Penge, who is available to bet at +14000 odds in the outright winner market. The Englishman is capable of going on serious runs, as evidenced by his play at TPC San Antonio this past week.
Penge ranks second in SG: Off-the-Tee, including sixth in driving distance. He’s 52nd in SG: Approach from 200+ yards and is averaging close to four birdies per round.
Putting, approach play, and off-the-tee accuracy are all weaknesses that justify Penge’s 140-1 price. However, his power off-the-tee and ability to capture momentum with a flurry of birdies are too much to ignore at these long odds.
Dustin Johnson (+26000)
Dustin Johnson will make his 16th start at the Masters, so we’re going in the opposite direction of the other young debutants with our final longshot wager. At 260-1, oddsmakers clearly don’t believe in Johnson to contend, despite winning this major by five strokes in 2020.
The LIV golfer ranks best with his putter, sitting +0.62 SG: Putting in 2026. He’s also +0.42 SG: Around the Green, flexing his short game to compensate for woes in tee-to-green efficiency.
Johnson missed the cut in 2025. Yet, at 260-1, the doubt has gone too far with the former green jacket winner. Let’s bet one final 0.25 unit wager on Dustin Johnson to win the 2026 Masters at a ridiculously lucrative price.