Masters 2026 betting buzz centers on Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick and Patrick Reed as Augusta National rewards distance, iron play and touch.
Augusta National is always about more than star power.
For the 2026 Masters, the clearest path to contention starts with a specific formula ... length off the tee, elite approach play, and a polished short game.
That’s why Rick Gehman's Masters picks and betting chatter this week are circling names like Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Patrick Reed, Akshay Bhatia, Robert MacIntyre and Adam Scott.
The course still gives bombers room to swing freely, provided they avoid a disaster miss.
But the real separator comes on approach shots. Augusta’s layered greens demand precise distance control, smart shot shape, and the ability to leave the ball in the right section of the putting surface.
Around the greens, experience matters, too. Players who can chip, pitch, and recover with confidence usually rise as the week goes on.
That profile fits Åberg as well as almost anyone in the field.
He’s coming in with strong recent form after a T3 at Bay Hill, a T5 at THE PLAYERS, and another T5 in San Antonio. He also already owns a runner-up and a seventh-place finish at Augusta, which helps explain why he’s drawing so much attention entering Masters week.
Fitzpatrick brings one of the most balanced resumes in the field.
Over the last year, he’s gained 1.43 strokes per round and piled up seven top-10 finishes with two victories worldwide. That kind of all-around consistency makes him an intriguing contender on a course that exposes weaknesses quickly.
Reed remains hard to ignore at Augusta National. The 2018 Masters champion has posted six top-12 finishes in his last eight trips and finished solo third last year.
Scott, meanwhile, continues to defy age at 45, pairing improved speed with sharp iron play.
Bhatia and MacIntyre also stand out as players with top-20 upside, while Marco Penge enters as an under-the-radar name thanks to his power and improving all-around game.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community for FREE! Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable App to stay even more connected!