Augusta National: Two Key Stats Highlight 7 Potential Masters Champions
Augusta National Golf Club is known for its rich history and competitive spirit, especially during the Masters Tournament. Analyzing key statistics and trends can help identify potential champions.
Key Stats to Consider for Master Success
Two significant trends have emerged when evaluating potential winners of the Masters. Understanding these insights is vital for predicting success at this prestigious event.
Trend One: Striking Performance
Recent data shows that 11 of the last 13 Masters champions have gained at least 1.7 strokes tee to green in their last three months of play. For 2026, ten players meet this criterion:
- Collin Morikawa – 2.17 over 18 rounds
- Matt Fitzpatrick – 2.14 over 28 rounds
- Jon Rahm – 2.04 over 20 rounds
- Si Woo Kim – 2.02 over 36 rounds
- Rory McIlroy – 1.99 over 22 rounds
- Scottie Scheffler – 1.86 over 24 rounds
- Ludvig Aberg – 1.82 over 24 rounds
- Cameron Young – 1.78 over 24 rounds
- Min Woo Lee – 1.70 over 28 rounds
- Chris Gotterup – 1.70 over 30 rounds
Trend Two: Major Championship Experience
Additionally, 21 of the last 27 Masters winners have previously finished in the top two in another major tournament. This narrows the field down significantly to seven strong candidates:
- Collin Morikawa – Two-time PGA Champion, three top 10 finishes at the Masters
- Matt Fitzpatrick – U.S. Open winner, two top 10 finishes
- Jon Rahm – Two-time major champion, Masters winner in 2023
- Rory McIlroy – Five-time major champion, Masters winner in 2025
- Scottie Scheffler – Four-time major champion, Masters winner in 2022 and 2024
- Ludvig Aberg – Runner-up at the Masters in 2024
- Cameron Young – Runner-up at the Open Championship in 2022
Conclusion
Narrowing down the field of 91 players to just seven potential champions may seem challenging, but the data supports these selections. Augusta National’s longstanding traditions and statistical trends provide critical insights for fans and analysts alike. As the 90th Masters Tournament unfolds, these players will be closely watched as contenders for the coveted green jacket.