Masters 2026: 10 Bold Predictions in the Race to Wear the Green Jacket

The 90th Masters Tournament gets underway on Thursday with first-round action at Augusta National Golf Club. Sitting a couple of miles from the Georgia-South Carolina border and two hours east of Atlanta, the flowers have bloomed, and the players are ready to begin their quest to wear the coveted Green Jacket on Sunday. Only four rounds and 72 regulation holes separate them from winning the first major tournament of 2026.

However, the challenges the course faces are always daunting. Here are 10 bold predictions for this year’s Masters Tournament. Reigning Masters winner comes short Michael Madrid-Imagn Images The reigning champion has returned to Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy won last year’s Masters Tournament in a playoff. However, reigning champions have not fared as well 12 months after putting on the Green Jacket. The last player to win consecutive Masters Tournaments was Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002.

McIlroy is also trying to join Woods, Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), and Nick Faldo (1989-90) to successfully defend a Masters title. As a result, McIlroy falls short, and Woods’ streak continues for another year as the last man to go back-to-back. Also read: Golf Icon Says Trump Will NEVER Be Welcome at Augusta National Justin Rose records another top 15 Masters finish Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images Justin Rose, who lost to McIlroy in the playoff last year, also made history 12 months ago.