The Masters Picks: 10 Trends That Identify The 2026 Winner
Historical trends are vitally important when wagering on some of the biggest events on the sporting calendar. Stats and previous performances are essential to consider when it comes to The Masters, as they will pinpoint potential areas of value in the outright betting.
This has been exemplified in recent editions, with previous winners Rory McIlroy (2025) and Dustin Johnson (2020) ticking all the logical boxes before winning the major at Augusta.
Once again, the world-famous golf event is around the corner, making it a perfect time to study The Masters trends to find the standout betting angle from a statistical perspective.
Avoid Players Making Their Masters Debut
One of the oldest trends remains as important in this modern day, with no player since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 having won at Augusta on their debut appearance. This trend will whittle down the field, with Jacob Bridgeman, Ben Griffin, and Chris Gotterup all making their debuts at The Masters this year.
Aim For Players Aged 20+, But No Older Than 50
Golf is a young man’s game nowadays, with the trends highlighting that no player aged over 50 having won The Masters. Jack Nicklaus was the oldest winner at 46 in 1986.
In fact, younger players have thrived, with McIlroy’s success aged 35 last year seeing him become only the third 30-something to win at Augusta in ten years. Overall, players aged between 20 and 30 have won six of the last ten editions.
Higher-Ranked Players Deserve Focus
The world rankings are essential to consider before making picks on The Masters. Overall, all of the last ten winners have been ranked inside the top 30, while eight victors over the same period have ranked inside the top 20. Therefore, classier players are always worth following when making Masters selections.
Experience at Augusta is a Must
It is always wise to assess previous editions of The Masters to build an argument about a player’s chances of winning the major.
Fuzzy Zoeller’s win on his Masters debut is an indicator that previous experience at Augusta is essential. Eight of the last ten winners have played at the course on three occasions before winning the illustrious Green Jacket.
Assess Best Finishing Positions at Augusta
As well as having previous experience at Augusta, bettors should also consider those who have finished in the top five on previous appearances. Seven champions in the last ten years had previously achieved a top-five finish at The Masters, while two of the remainder have finished in the top-25.
Therefore, as a rule, it is suggested that players with previous top-25 finishes should be considered. This could be damaging to players such as Cam Young, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick, who all sit prominently in the current betting.
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Ball-Striking A Key Stat
All players will come under the microscope before the start of The Masters, with a key eye being on ball-striking ability.
The ability to pick up shots via strokes gained is essential, with all of the last 13 champions showing tee-to-green gains in the four weeks leading up to the start of the first major of the season. Stars who fit this trend at the top of the market include Tommy Fleetwood, Si Woo Kim, and Keith Mitchell.
Avoid Defending Champions
Winning one Masters title is a challenge, but defending the Green Jacket 12 months later is an extreme rarity. Only three players have successfully defended their Masters- Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo.
Woods was the last to achieve the feat in 2002. In fact, only three defending champions since 2007 have followed up with a top-ten finish 12 months later. That could be bad news for McIlroy.
Respect Strong Recent Form
One of the key trends to consider when betting on The Masters is the recent form of the players involved. McIlroy continued this trend 12 months ago after winning at Pebble Beach before reigning supreme at Augusta.
Over the last ten decades at The Masters, eight players had achieved a top-12 finish within a four-week window.
Confident Players Excel
As well as the trend of placing well in competitive events, winning form also counts for a lot on the road to The Masters.
McIlroy won twice before Augusta in 2025, becoming the third straight player to win multiple PGA Tour events before winning the major. Of the last ten Masters winners, seven had recorded at least two victories before winning the Green Jacket.
Don’t Overlook Underperformers in 2025
A quirk to the trends comes in the form that players who finished outside of the top ten in the previous edition have excelled when returning to Augusta. Therefore, while previous course form is respected, it doesn’t necessarily need to have come in the most recent edition.
Players that failed to break into the top ten of a previous year’s Masters have subsequently won eight of the last ten. That could be a damaging trends for a host of leading contenders, including Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Reed, and Corey Conners.
Who The Trends Suggest Will Win The Masters 2026
After going through the trends, there is a potential shock winner on the cards. COLLIN MORIKAWA. The American fits the age profile at 29, while the former Open champion has been incredibly consistent at The Masters, finishing fifth in 2022, T10 in 2023, and T3 in 2024.
Last year, importantly, he missed out on the top ten after finishing T14. Morikawa has also been in red-hot form this season, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, just as McIlroy did in 2025 on his way to Masters glory.
The Masters Trends Pick:
