Ahead of the opening Major Championship of the season, we asked DP World Tour commentators Ken Brown, Inci Mehmet, Jamie Spence and Dominik Holyer to give us their picks for Masters glory.
There are few things in golf quite like the anticipation for the trip down Magnolia Lane for the Masters Tournament.
In the nine months since the last Major at The Open Championship, the golfing world has seen Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup champions crowned and every other year even a Ryder Cup, but nothing quite matches the excitement ahead of the first tee-shot at Augusta National.
While there are 96 players backing themselves to slip on the Green Jacket, outside of that select few the chatter of who will be victorious after 72 holes in Georgia is reaching fever pitch.
Luckily, at the DP World Tour we have some people who know what they're talking about and here, professional golfers turned broadcasters Ken Brown, Inci Mehmet and Jamie Spence and lead commentator Dominik Holyer pick their winners - with some others to watch thrown in for good measure.
Ken Brown
Rory McIlroy
The gates are wide open at Augusta, the spring trees are laden with low-hanging fruit for Rory McIlroy.
His report: game good, confidence high, short irons best for some time, driving the best in the business, love the new ball, putting consistent.
Oh! Oh my! But then there’s all the pressures, especially his own, thinking it’s GRAND SLAM TIME!
His time is now to take that last step and make that giant leap into golfing immortality. Like so many, I hope it’s finally his time to sit round the table with Player, Hogan, Sarazen, Nicklaus and his childhood hero Tiger.
We played together for his first hole as a pro, the sixth at the Belfry, and we chatted about his hopes and dreams as a tour professional. They weren’t this big!
One to watch: Shane Lowry
Inci Mehmet
Ludvig Åberg
Ludvig Aberg is my guy to win the 2025 Masters.
For starters, the man finished solo second in his very first trip to Augusta last year. Most rookies walk into The Masters looking like deer in headlights. Ludvig strolled in like he’s played there for years before, casually navigating those intimidating greens and roller coaster fairways like it was no big deal.
If you look at past champions, you need to be great off the tee and he’s a beast (almost top ten on Tour).
Even though he’s only 25, he’s incredibly mature and honestly, I just love his vibe. Cool, calm and not a single ounce of drama. I don’t think the guy even sweats!
Whether or not he takes home the Green Jacket this April, I’m all in. Ludvig’s a serious threat every time he tees it up. And if he does win, I fully expect him to celebrate with a relaxed wave, a humble smile and maybe even a respectful nod to the thousands supporting him.
Jamie Spence
Rory McIlroy
Unoriginal, I know, but I believe he’s playing the best golf of all the Invitees coming in to Augusta.
After last year's Major disappointment at Pinehurst, he’s reassessed his game, made improvements to his swing and it’s paid dividends at the DP World Tour Championship, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and recently The PLAYERS.
I would also argue that his closest competition have not been on their A-Game so far this season.
This, I believe, is his best chance to complete the career Grand Slam - Go Rory!
One to watch: Will Zalatoris
The young phenom is back! And not just as Happy Gilmore's caddie!
He has played in three Masters previously and has been in the top ten each time, including a runner-up finish in 2021 by one shot to Hideki Matsuyama.
Augusta does not suit everyone and over the years we see the same names cropping up on the leaderboard. The unique course and demanding greens obviously suit the 28-year-old from San Francisco.
I expect him to be challenging come Masters Sunday. Plus, he is one cool dude!
Dominik Holyer
Scottie Scheffler
I’d like to pick Rory after his two wins this season, but Scheffler’s performance last week in Houston has seen him round in to form at just the right time. The stats suggest it’s tough to defend at Augusta National, but if he plays well he’s still the man to beat.
One to watch: Bob MacIntyre
MacIntyre’s definitely stepped up a level in the last year. He’s got the huge injection of confidence from his wins in Canada and at The Renaissance Club in his national open.
Lefties have a good record in the Masters and I reckon if he gets a chance to win, Bob Mac won’t be afraid to take it.
