2026 Masters Field Breakdown: Favorites, Contenders & Dark Horses

Augusta sets the stage for the most anticipated major of the year, and the 2026 Masters field is loaded. Defending champion Rory McIlroy returns riding the momentum of completing his career Grand Slam in 2025, world number one Scottie Scheffler remains the most dominant player on the planet, and a deep group of elite contenders makes this one of the most wide-open Masters in recent memory.

Here’s our breakdown of the full field heading into April - organized by tier to help you build your Splash Fantasy Tiers lineup.

Tier 1: The Favorites

Scottie Scheffler

The world number one has been the best golfer on the planet for two years running - even with a slower start than expected in 2026. His ball-striking is elite, his iron play is among the best Augusta has ever seen, and he has the mental composure to handle Sunday at the Masters. Scheffler won here in 2022 and 2024 and remains the most likely name to be standing in Butler Cabin come Sunday evening.

Rory McIlroy (Defending Champion)

Rory completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta in 2025 in one of the most emotional moments in golf history. Defending at the Masters is notoriously difficult - only two players have ever successfully done it - but Rory arrives in Augusta with a deep connection to this course and elevated confidence. He’s a legitimate threat to win back-to-back.

Xander Schauffele

The 2024 PGA Championship and The Open winner has quietly become one of the most consistent major performers in the world. Schauffele’s game travels well, and Augusta’s premium on precise iron play is exactly where his game shows up. Don’t sleep on him in the top tier conversation.

Tier 2: Strong Contenders

Collin Morikawa

Two major wins and a ball-striking game that is tailor-made for Augusta. Morikawa is consistently one of the best iron players in the world - which matters more at Augusta than almost anywhere else on tour. He’s always in contention at majors and remains a fantastic Tier 2 option.

Ludvig Åberg

The Swedish star has risen quickly to the upper echelon of the world rankings. His Augusta debut in 2024 saw him finish runner-up - an extraordinary result for a first-timer. He’s been getting better ever since, and a quiet Masters week could easily end with his name at the top of the leaderboard.

Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood is criminally underrated in major conversations. He’s a pure ball-striker who loves big events, and his course history at Augusta has been quietly building. If you’re looking for a Tier 2 name with upside, Fleetwood is consistently one of the best value picks in the field.

Tier 3: Value Plays Worth Watching

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson’s power-first approach works uniquely well at Augusta - he simply takes some of the course out of play in ways other players can’t. The 2023 US Open champion has the ceiling to win any major he enters, and his creative game off the tee makes him one of the more unpredictable and exciting picks in the mid-tiers.

Viktor Hovland

After a 2024 that didn’t quite live up to expectations, Hovland entered 2025 with renewed focus and returned to the form that made him a top-5 player in the world. Augusta rewards consistent ball-strikers with creativity around the greens - a description that fits Hovland when he’s locked in.

Dark Horses

Augusta has a long history of rewarding players who fly under the radar. A few names worth keeping on your radar for Tier 4 selections:

• Sepp Straka - Underrated iron player who consistently outperforms at Augusta relative to his world ranking
• Keegan Bradley - US Ryder Cup captain with a steady major record and consistent Augusta performances
• Harris English - A streaky player who, when hot, can hang with anyone in the field for four rounds

How to Enter Masters Contests On Splash

1. Download the Splash Sports app
2. Navigate to the Masters contest lobby
3. Select your tier picks before contests close on Thursday, April 9 at 8 AM ET
4. Watch the leaderboard all four rounds, April 9-12

Other Ways to Play the Masters on Splash

The Fantasy Tiers contest is our flagship Masters offering - but it’s not the only way to play. Splash also has additional Masters contests at various entry fees, plus Masters QuickPicks running daily throughout the tournament, where you can pick More or Less on golfer stats for a chance to win up to 50x your entry