It’s that time of the year again!
The 2025 Masters Tournament takes place at Augusta National Golf Club from 10-13 April.
We sat down with three-time Ryder Cup captain and Golf Care ambassador Bernard Gallacher to discuss the 89th edition of this famous tournament and what he’s expecting from this year.
Here’s what he had to say…
The Masters
First things first, we’re guaranteed a golf course in immaculate condition and, of course, the best players in the world. But as we know, the Masters has the smallest field of all the Majors. This year, that field will also include five amateur champions from around the world in honour of Bobby Jones—the great American amateur golfer who co-founded both the club and the tournament itself.
The Masters spectators—or Patrons, as they’re otherwise known—consider themselves the best behaved and most knowledgable in golf. Something tells me the spectators at the Open in July might dispute that claim, but there’s no disputing the fact we’re in for four days of exciting golf here, especially as we reach the back nine on the Sunday afternoon.
Who's going to perform well at Augusta this year?
Scottie SCHEFFLER is the current world number one and defending champion, so he’s an obvious pick to do well again. He’s arguably the most consistent player on the PGA Tour, and there aren’t really any weaknesses in his game. He can hit it long and straight off the tee, which makes the rest easy, and if he does ever miss a green, his short game is second to none anyway. He’s certainly the man to beat.
Rory MCILROY still needs to win the Masters to complete his career Grand Slam, and every year that goes by without him doing so just adds more pressure on him to join that elite club. However, he’s always in with a chance. He’s been playing great golf of late and finished off the season by winning the Race to Dubai last November. He’s also already won the AT&T at Pebble Beach this year. He definitely has what it takes to win the Masters if he has a decent week out on the greens. I’ll be rooting for him as always!
Xander SCHAUFFELE is the current Open and USPGA champion and will look to add to his Major collection at Augusta. It’s a course he plays well, having finished T2nd in 2019. Anyone who watched Schauffele win the Open at Royal Troon last July would have been impressed by his play, especially on the difficult back nine in the last round to hold off Justin Rose and Billy Herschel. He certainly has the temperament and the game to win.
Ludvig ABERG is only 25 but is a serious contender for the Masters, having finished 2nd last year. He’s in good form of late, too, having won the recent Genesis Invitational on the difficult Torrey Pines South Course. He currently sits 4th on the World Golf Rankings (WGR) and definitely has the game to be a Major winner.
Collin MORIKAWA has won six times on the PGA Tour to date, including two Majors: the USPGA Championship at Harding Park in 2020 and the Open at Royal St George’s in 2021. He sits 5th on the WGR and finished T3rd at Augusta last year. I expect him to do well again this year.
Which LIV players have been invited to the Masters?
The relationship between LIV Golf and the ‘established order’, as it were, continues to be a point of contention. However, the following players on the LIV Tour have been invited to play at this year’s Masters:
- Jon Rahm (2023 winner)
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Brooks Koepka
- Phil Mickelson (2004, 2006 and 2010 winner)
- Dustin Johnson (2020 winner)
- Sergio García (2017 winner)
- Patrick Reed (2018 winner)
- Bubba Watson (2012 and 2014 winner)
- Joaquin Niemann
- Cameron Smith
- Charles Schwartzel (2011 winner)
- Tyrell Hatton
It’s a strong list of players with a wealth of previous Masters experience. However, it’s difficult to assess the form of LIV players, as they only ‘officially’ play three tournaments leading into the Masters, and their events are only 54 holes!
That said, a lack of competition hasn’t prevented Koepka or DeChambeau from winning Majors since joining LIV, so I certainly wouldn’t rule any of them out of this one, either. Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton would be my top two picks from the LIV roster.
Di Stewart's Masters prediction
Fellow Golf Care ambassador and sports broadcaster Di Stewart has also had her say on the upcoming Masters...
"Rory McIlroy is still chasing the one thing that’s eluded him—the green jacket. He’s already won twice this year on the PGA Tour, including the Players Championship, and you can feel the momentum building. He’s had seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including that unforgettable Sunday 64 in 2022 when he finished second.
"You can’t help but want it for him. The Grand Slam. The full set. My heart says Rory.
"But Ludvig Aberg has such a great opportunity, too. In 2014, Jordan Spieth finished second at Augusta. A year later, he won the green jacket. Ludvig Aberg finished runner-up last year, and with that same calm presence, flawless ball-striking, and fearless attitude, the parallels are impossible to ignore. I’ve got a sneaky feeling this could be his Spieth moment!"
Who do you think will win the Masters in 2025? Get in touch and let us know!
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