2025 Masters Predictions: Can Scheffler Repeat or Will McIlroy Surprise?

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The excitement is building as the 2025 Masters tournament is set to commence on April 10 at Augusta National Golf Club. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked as the world’s top golfer, will attempt to secure his third green jacket and become the first golfer to repeat since Tiger Woods in 2001-02.

Scheffler’s impressive victory last year, where he finished four strokes ahead of Ludvig Åberg, positioned him as the favorite for this year’s event. He enters the tournament with odds of +470, meaning a wager of $100 could net $470 should he successfully defend his title. The competition is fierce this year, with notables like Rory McIlroy (+800), Justin Thomas (+2800), Jon Rahm (+1300), and Xander Schauffele (+1300) all eyeing the coveted trophy.

“I’ve been preparing for this event all year, and I feel ready to take on the challenge,” Scheffler said during a press conference. “Repeating as champion is no small feat, but I believe in my game.”

As the Masters approaches, questions arise about whether bettors should stick with the favorites or gamble on underdogs. For instance, Adam Scott, a 2013 Masters winner, is currently a longshot at 130-1.

Mike McClure, a DFS expert from SportsLine, has created a proprietary model that has been remarkably successful, recording nearly $9,000 in winnings on best bets since June 2020. The model has accurately selected the winners of the last three Masters tournaments, alongside several other majors last year.

In a surprising analysis, McClure’s model predicts that Rory McIlroy will not finish within the top five, despite his status as a 27-time PGA Tour winner and one of the top favorites.

“Rory has the skills and experience, but his recent performances at Augusta reveal a troubling trend,” McClure noted. McIlroy has missed the cut twice in his last four tournaments there and finished T22 in 2024.

For McIlroy, winning this Masters would mean achieving a career grand slam, a feat accomplished by only five other golfers. However, given his past struggles at Augusta, many are skeptical of his chances this season.

The model has also analyzed Bryson DeChambeau, who possesses odds of +2200. DeChambeau’s polarizing persona and unconventional views on Augusta—calling it a “par 67″—have sparked interest. He finished T6 last year at the Masters, showcasing his potential.

Scheffler’s candidacy is intriguing as well. The golfer recorded an impressive seven victories and 16 top-10 finishes last year, setting the bar high. However, his 2025 season has been less stellar, failing to secure a win thus far. Still, he has a habit of performing well at the Masters, never finishing worse than T19 in any of his appearances.

McClure’s model has also pinpointed other golfers with odds of 30-1 or longer who could present surprising challenges this year. According to the projections, bettors could benefit significantly from backing these longshots.

As anticipation grows around the tournament, experts and enthusiasts alike are eager to see which golfers will emerge as winners and which underdogs might upset the apple cart. The latest odds reflect a blend of favorites and dark horses, with the golfing world holding its breath for what promises to be an exciting 2025 Masters.