The Best Masters Moments: How They Shape Picks for 2025

2020: Dustin Johnson’s Record-Breaking Run

The 2020 Masters (played in November with no patrons, in a one-off fall edition) saw Dustin Johnson demolish the field and the record books. Johnson put on a clinic at a soft Augusta, posting an all-time low score of 20-under-par for a five-shot victory – the lowest 72-hole score in Masters history​. He beat the previous tournament scoring record by two strokes (a record held by Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth) and did it with a calm, methodical dominance. DJ led by four after 54 holes and never faltered, pulling away with clutch birdies and no one able to mount a charge. When he polished off the win, he donned the Green Jacket with tears in his eyes, having achieved a lifelong dream​. For our purposes, though, what stands out is how a world No. 1 in peak form translated that form to Augusta National’s unique test. Johnson’s victory marked the largest Masters winning margin since 1997 and reminded everyone that a hot player can absolutely run away with this tournament​

Fantasy Implications: Johnson’s 2020 triumph is a case study in riding the red-hot superstar. In Splash Sports Tiers contests, if a top-tier player is coming in with great form (like DJ was) but perhaps slightly less popular due to recency bias or narrative, you should strongly consider plugging him in. DJ was in Tier 1 territory in 2020 and justified every bit of it. For One & Done, the lesson is that using an elite player at the Masters when he’s in form can be season-defining. Many fantasy managers shy away from burning a top name at Augusta, fearing a letdown, but DJ showed the upside: a record-breaking win that would have yielded a massive One & Done payout. This year, when someone like Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy enters Masters week on a heater, don’t overthink it – historical performance at Augusta plus current form is a lethal combo. Also, Johnson’s continued success at Augusta (he was runner-up in 2019 and champion in 2020) highlights course comfort; even though he’s now a few years removed from that win, he remains a dangerous pick in Tiers contests. If DJ appears in a low-tier group in 2025 due to his recent quieter form on the LIV Tour, savvy fantasy golfers should remember 2020 and the fact that horses for courses can strike when you least expect. A past champion with course knowledge like Johnson can be a steal in Tiers, and if you still have him available in One & Done and need a high-upside play, Augusta is a venue where he can deliver magic again.

2021: Hideki Matsuyama Makes History

The 2021 Masters gifted us a moment of historic significance: Hideki Matsuyama kept his cool on Sunday to become the first Japanese (and first Asian-born) player to win the Masters​. Matsuyama’s victory was years in the making – a culmination of experience and steady play at Augusta. After a brilliant third-round 65, he carried a four-shot lead into Sunday and held on with a final-round 73, finishing at 10-under to win by one stroke. It wasn’t without drama: Xander Schauffele made a back-nine charge and got within two, only to find the water on 16, allowing Hideki some breathing room​. Matsuyama’s composure in the tense final holes (and even a bogey at 18 couldn’t derail him) showed the world how a player under immense pressure can still deliver. This Masters moment stands out not only for its cultural impact but also for the fantasy angle: Hideki was not the pre-tournament favorite or a top-tier pick for most, yet his course familiarity (10th Masters appearance) and ball-striking consistency shone through when it mattered most.

Fantasy Implications: Matsuyama’s win is a reminder that consistency at Augusta and patience can pay off in a big way. In Tiers contests, Hideki may have been a Tier 2 or 3 pick in 2021 – the kind of solid player with a good Masters track record but not hyped as a favorite. Smart fantasy players who noted his past top-10 finishes at Augusta and chose him were rewarded mightily. The lesson is to target those steady performers who may fly under the radar. For 2025, think about players like Tony Finau or Matt Fitzpatrick – not always the center of attention, but with strong Augusta resumes or major pedigree – in middle tiers. These guys can absolutely win (as Hideki showed) or at least outperform bigger names who might be volatile. In One & Done, Matsuyama’s triumph teaches us about timing. Perhaps you hadn’t used Hideki earlier in the year because he wasn’t winning other events, but saving a player who loves Augusta’s layout for Masters week can be a masterstroke. If there’s a reliable veteran (say, Patrick Cantlay or Jason Day) whom you haven’t used by Masters and who tends to play well here, don’t hesitate to deploy them. Hideki proved that a cool-headed, experienced player can outlast flashier rivals. His Masters moment informs our strategy: favor the familiar faces at Augusta who are due for a breakthrough, and don’t be afraid to pick a player who’s carrying the weight of history – the pressure might just elevate them, as it did Matsuyama.

2022: Scottie Scheffler Dominates on Cue

The 2022 Masters was a showcase for Scottie Scheffler, who arrived as the hottest golfer on the planet and left with his first Green Jacket. Scheffler was the newly minted world No. 1 and had won three PGA Tour events in the weeks leading up to Augusta. Far from wilting under the pressure, he delivered a wire-to-wire-esque victory, winning by three strokes at 10-under. One defining moment came early in the final round: Scheffler’s lead had shrunk to a single shot after two holes, with playing partner Cameron Smith charging. Then at the par-4 3rd hole, Scheffler faced a tough pitch from the pine straw – and he produced an unbelievable chip-in birdie that elicited roars. Smith bogeyed, and just like that, Scheffler’s lead ballooned back to three, a momentum swing from which the challengers never recovered​. From there, the unflappable Texan played steady golf, and even a four-putt on the 18th green (in a rare show of nerves) only reduced his margin of victory. Scheffler’s Masters win, his fourth win in six starts, confirmed that when a top player is in form, Augusta will reward it. It also marked him as a budding Augusta specialist (a notion he’d reinforce in 2024).

Fantasy Implications: Scheffler in 2022 exemplifies the “ride the hot hand” approach. In fantasy Tiers, he was a must-pick in Tier 1 if you believed in form – and he validated that belief. The big takeaway is that an elite player’s recent dominance can absolutely translate to major success, especially at the Masters, where confidence is paramount. For your 2025 Tiers, if you see someone like Rory McIlroy coming in off multiple wins or a streak of top-5s, think back to Scheffler 2022 and strongly consider them for your Tier 1 selection. In One & Done play, Scheffler’s romp is the kind of outcome that can win you your pool if you had him. Many One & Done managers try to save the “best” player for later in the season in tournaments with a slightly higher purse, but Scheffler taught us that using a superstar at Augusta during a peak streak can yield a windfall. Plus, the heightened purse at The Masters makes this a great time to deploy your horses. Don’t get too cute: if a player is clearly a world-beater entering Masters week, that’s the time to strike. 

Another nuance from 2022 is the importance of momentum swings – Scheffler’s chip-in on 3 was a pressure moment where he excelled, and Smith faltered. When evaluating picks, consider who thrives under pressure. Scheffler had proven in earlier wins that spring that he could close, so he was a reliable choice. Translate that to 2025: players who have shown clutch genes (say, a Jordan Spieth at Augusta, who has a history of magic moments, yes, we said Jordan Spieth) deserve a boost in your fantasy rankings. Scheffler’s victory was also a reminder that sometimes the chalk hits – and when it does in a major, you don’t want to be the one who overthought and left a winner off your lineup.

2023: Jon Rahm’s Resilience and Redemption

Jon Rahm’s win at the 2023 Masters was a testament to talent meeting tenacity. Rahm entered the week as a top favorite and promptly opened his tournament with a double bogey – a nerve-induced four-putt on the very first hole of Round 1. Lesser players might have crumbled, but Rahm shrugged it off and by day’s end had fought back to 7-under (carding a 65 despite that rocky start)​. Heading into Sunday, he trailed Brooks Koepka, the 54-hole leader, by two shots. Sunday at Augusta turned into a marathon due to weather delays, but Rahm was unflappable. He methodically erased Koepka’s lead early in the final round and pulled away to win by four strokes at 12-under​. This marked Rahm’s first Masters title (and second major overall), and he became the fourth Spaniard to win at Augusta. A notable subplot was the surprising runner-up finish by Phil Mickelson (also at 8-under, tied with Koepka) – the 52-year-old past champion shot a scintillating 65 on Sunday to surge up the leaderboard​. Rahm’s triumph was defined by clutch iron play, brilliant up-and-downs, and a steely focus that contrasted with Koepka’s final-round struggles. By the time Rahm walked up 18, he had turned a competitive duel into a comfortable victory, punctuating it with a stress-free par as the sun set on Augusta.

Fantasy Implications: Rahm’s 2023 Masters moment is all about banking on all-around elite players with grit. In fantasy terms, Rahm was a popular pick (Tier 1 and a common One & Done choice) because of his consistent Augusta record (four straight top-10s in 2018-2021) and red-hot form earlier in 2023. He rewarded that faith. The lesson? Course history plus current form is a green light, especially when the player in question is a world-class talent. If a top-tier player has shown the ability to contend at Augusta year after year, don’t be scared off by one bad break (like Rahm’s opening double) or a couple of off weeks pre-Masters. Champions like Rahm have a way of rising to the occasion on the biggest stage. For Tiers contests in 2025, Rahm will surely be Tier 1 material again – and his 2023 win suggests you shouldn’t hesitate to pick him or someone of his caliber. The same goes for someone like Bryson Dechambeau or Collin Morikawa; if they’ve been knocking on the door at Augusta, they’re due to break through or at least secure that top-5 finish you need. In One & Done, Rahm’s win illustrates the value of using a superstar in a major. If you burned Rahm at the Masters, you likely gained an advantage​. Also, consider the case of Phil Mickelson’s runner-up finish: a veteran with multiple green jackets turning back the clock. While it’s not something to bank on, it shows the unpredictability of Augusta. In deeper Tiers, taking a flyer on a seasoned former champion (who most others will ignore) could be a jackpot play – in 2023, a few bold players who picked Mickelson in a low tier were laughing. The big takeaway is that mental toughness matters. Rahm’s ability to recover from early adversity and Koepka’s inability to hold a lead under pressure are clues when selecting fantasy picks. Favor players who have shown resilience and a champion’s mindset. These intangibles often translate to made cuts and high finishes, which is exactly what you need in fantasy golf’s most important week.

2024: Scheffler Solidifies His Masters Mastery

By the 2024 Masters, Scottie Scheffler had cemented himself as an Augusta force. He entered as the defending champion from 2022 and World No. 1, and he delivered yet again, winning his second Green Jacket in three years. Scheffler shot a total of 11-under 277, finishing four strokes ahead of runner-up Ludvig Åberg​. This victory put Scheffler in elite company as one of the youngest to ever win multiple Masters, and it echoed the Tiger-esque pattern of dominating at Augusta early in his career​. The 2024 tournament had its share of storylines: a raw 24-year-old talent, Ludvig Åberg, making his Masters debut, stunned everyone by finishing second alone at 7-under, an indication that a new generation is not afraid of the big stage. But ultimately, Scheffler’s supreme consistency (solid ball-striking all week and an ability to avoid big numbers) carried the day. He started the final round in a tight battle but pulled away on the back nine with clutch birdies, rendering the closing holes a victory march. With two titles in three attempts, Scheffler is crafting a reputation as the player to beat at Augusta each year.

Fantasy Implications: Scheffler’s repeat win is pure gold for fantasy strategy insights. First, it emphasizes course horses – certain players simply have Augusta figured out. By 2025, Scheffler will be atop everyone’s Masters picks list (and rightly so). In Tiers contests, if you have a player of Scheffler’s caliber who has proven dominance at Augusta, it’s almost dumb not to take him in Tier 1. The same applies to Jon Rahm or other top contenders with great Masters records; fade them at your peril. Scheffler also reinforces the idea that you shouldn’t avoid a player just because he won recently. Some thought, “Can he really win again so soon?” – the answer was yes. So don’t buy into the notion that last year’s winner or a recent major champ will fade. Great players love Augusta’s challenges. Heading into the Masters this year, managers will have to decide whether to deploy Scheffler at the Masters or save him for something else – but given his track record, Augusta might be the highest ROI spot to use him. All of this is to say, Scottie is really good.

Another angle from 2024 is the emergence of Ludvig Åberg. His runner-up finish in his first Masters, while unexpected, signals that young talent can pop at Augusta. In Tier contests, that suggests keeping an eye on up-and-comers (perhaps an amateur champion or recent phenom) slotted in a lower tier – they could be your secret weapon. That said, one good round or tournament doesn’t guarantee future success, so temper the hype with caution. One & Done players likely wouldn’t have picked Åberg in 2024 (few even knew his game well), and generally that format rewards sticking with proven names. The key for One & Done is to extract the maximum from a single use of a superstar: Scheffler’s two wins show that if you have a generational player in your stable, Augusta is a prime place to unleash them. The 2024 Masters also highlighted that major pedigree matters even for newcomers – Åberg had none, but he played fearlessly; still, it was Scheffler, a recent major winner, who prevailed. So while you can take a flier on a young gun in a Tiers lineup, your core picks in both Tiers and One & Done should be the players who have “been there, done that.” After all, the Masters often comes down to who handles Sunday pressure, and 2024 proved that once again, it was a battle-tested champion rising to the top.

Conclusion

From DJ’s dominance in 2020 to Scheffler’s 2024 coronation, recent Masters moments have repeatedly shown that Augusta National rewards experience, nerve, and a champion’s skillset. For fantasy golf in 2025, these lessons are invaluable. In Splash Sports Tiers contests, build your lineup around players with proven Masters resumes or surging form – ideally, both. Sprinkle in a mix of reliable veterans and a high-upside pick who has shown a spark at Augusta or on big stages. In One & Done, don’t be afraid to use a superstar at the Masters; a win or top finish here can outscore an average result elsewhere by a mile, and history suggests the cream often rises at Augusta. Use the ghosts of Masters past to your advantage: whether it’s trusting a savvy former champ in a lower tier or locking in the world No. 1 who’s tearing it up like it’s 2020 again, let those iconic moments guide your choices. The Masters is as much about legacy as it is about the present, and if you choose players who embrace the pressure of Augusta and have tasted success on those hallowed grounds, you’ll give yourself the best chance to wear the fantasy Green Jacket in 2025. Remember, every roar at the Masters echoes through fantasy leaderboards – so choose your 2025 picks with those echoes in mind, and you might just create a legendary moment of your own.