Five Rookies Poised to Win the Masters

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 10, 2026 1:39 PM ET

Only two players have won the Masters on their first try: the inaugural champion and Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Since then, 46 champions first competed at Augusta before claiming the green jacket. That long streak makes a first-time winner rare.

This year features several strong debutants. The group includes a Ryder Cup player, a top-10 Official World Golf Ranking player, and the current FedExCup leader. Filmogaz.com examines five rookies poised to contend at Augusta.

Why a first-time winner feels unlikely — and possible

Augusta National rewards familiarity with its unique greens and routing. Most champions previously learned those subtleties in earlier appearances. Still, form and statistics can overcome inexperience.

Recent indicators matter. The FedExCup leader also tops Data Golf’s points list. The last four Masters champions led that list entering the tournament.

Profiles of the five rookies to watch

Jacob Bridgeman

He leads the FedExCup standings. Bridgeman won The Genesis Invitational this season. He also has three other top-10 finishes, including a T5 at THE PLAYERS.

Bridgeman has not finished worse than T18 in eight starts. His strengths are approach play and putting. His driver is the main weakness.

He ranks first on Data Golf’s points list. He also won at Riviera, a course that shares champions who later succeeded at Augusta.

Gotterup

The 26-year-old has multiple PGA TOUR victories this season. He won the Sony Open in January and the WM Phoenix Open in February. He also won the Genesis Scottish Open last summer.

Gotterup sits ninth in the OWGR, the only Masters debutant inside the top 10. He gains distance off the tee, about 17 yards longer than the TOUR average.

His approach ranks inside the top 30 this year. Wedge control and putting remain volatile. Those elements will determine if he can win the Masters.

Ryan Gerard

Gerard earned his Masters invite by winning the DP World Tour’s final event in Mauritius. He was 57th in mid-December and moved to 46th after the win.

He began the PGA TOUR season with two runner-up finishes. Gerard ranks 14th in Strokes Gained: Approach this year.

A weakness is his short game. He ranks 131st from around the green. Improvement there is essential for a late-week charge at Augusta.

Ben Griffin

Griffin has Ryder Cup experience, which helps handle big moments. He recorded three wins in 2025 but has struggled this year.

His best result in nine starts is a T19 at the Sony Open. He missed three of four cuts heading into the Masters.

Approach play has slipped; he fell outside the top 100 in iron play. When he finds form, his past consistency and power make him dangerous.

Penge

Penge leads the PGA TOUR in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. He averages about 22 yards more than the typical TOUR player.

He has shown upside at The Genesis Invitational and the Valspar Championship. He also had a topsy-turvy start to 2026, with three cuts made in seven starts.

When all parts of his game align, he contends. If the event favors length, his name could rise fast on the leaderboard.